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To answer this question, we’ll consider the distance from each of the planets to the Sun. Before we start though, there’s a term in astronomy that you’ll want to remember: astronomical unit. One astronomical unit (or AU) is the distance from the Earth to the Sun.
You should also note that all of the 9 planets orbit the Sun in ellipses. This means that their distance to the Sun varies depending on what point they are in their orbits. Astronomers call the closest point perihelion, and the most distant point aphelion.
As a special bonus, I’ll also let you know the closest point that all planets get to Earth.
Mercury
Closest: 46 million km (.307 AU)
Furthest: 70 million km (.466 AU)
Average: 57 million km (.387 AU)
Closest to Mercury from Earth: 77.3 million km
Here are some Mercury interesting facts.
Venus
Closest: 107 million km (.718 AU)
Furthest: 109 million km (.728 AU)
Average: 108 million km (.722 AU)
Closest to Venus from Earth: 40 million km
Earth
Closest: 147 million km (.98 AU)
Furthest: 152 million km (1.1 AU)
Average: 150 million km (1 AU)
Mars
Closest: 205 million km (1.38 AU)
Furthest: 249 million km (1.66 AU)
Average: 228 million km (1.52 AU)
Closest to Mars from Earth: 65 million km
Jupiter
Closest: 741 million km (4.95 AU)
Furthest: 817 million km (5.46 AU)
Average: 779 million km (5.20 AU)
Closest to Jupiter from Earth: 588 million km
Saturn
Closest: 1.35 billion km (9.05 AU)
Furthest: 1.51 billion km (10.12 AU)
Average: 1.43 billion km (9.58 AU)
Closest to Saturn from Earth: 1.2 billion km
Uranus
Closest: 2.75 billion km (18.4 AU)
Furthest: 3.00 billion km (20.1 AU)
Average: 2.88 billion km (19.2 AU)
Closest to Uranus from Earth: 2.57 billion km
Neptune
Closest: 4.45 billion km (29.8 AU)
Furthest: 4.55 billion km (30.4 AU)
Average: 4.50 billion km (30.1 AU)
Closest to Neptune from Earth: 4.3 billion km
As a special bonus, we’ll include Pluto too, even though Pluto is not a planet anymore.
Pluto
Closest: 4.44 billion km (29.7 AU)
Furthest: 7.38 billion km (49.3 AU)
Average: 5.91 billion km (39.5 AU)
Closest to Pluto from Earth: 4.28 billion km
About Fraser Cain
Fraser Cain is the publisher of Universe Today. He's also the co-host of Astronomy Cast with Dr. Pamela Gay.
