Which planet is closest to the Sun?

Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun within our solar system. The positioning of Mercury in relation to the Sun is significant due to its proximity, which results in it experiencing extreme temperature variations and a very short orbital period compared to the other planets. Mercury completes an orbit around the Sun in just about 88 Earth days, illustrating how its closeness to the Sun affects its orbiting speed.

Because Mercury is the first planet in the solar system, it does not have to travel far compared to other planets, such as Earth, Venus, or Mars. These planets are positioned further out in the solar system and have longer orbital periods as a result. Understanding the arrangement of planets in our solar system is fundamental for grasping concepts of gravity, orbits, and the characteristics of each planet.