How to Remember the Planets and Dwarf Planets in Our Solar System

Have you ever found yourself struggling to recall the order of the planets in our solar system? With Pluto's reclassification, remembering nine ordered items can seem daunting. However, with the right techniques and mnemonic devices, it becomes much easier.

Mnemonic Devices for Planets

A common method to remember the order of the planets in our solar system, including Pluto, is the mnemonic:

My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Noodles

This phrase corresponds to:

Mercury Venus Earth Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune Pluto (when included)

Here’s another mnemonic:

Many Volcanoes Erupt Mulberry Jam Sandwiches Under Normal Pressure

This sounds funny, doesn't it? However, it’s an effective way to remember the sequence of planets, including Pluto:

Mercury Venus Earth Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune Pluto

Aphelion and Planetary Classification

For a more scientific approach, we can order the bodies based on their aphelion— the furthest distance from the Sun. This order provides a better understanding of their positions in our solar system:

Planet Aphelion (AU) Mercury 0.47 Venus 0.73 Earth 1.02 Mars 1.67 Ceres 2.98 Jupiter 5.46 Saturn 10.12 Uranus 20.11 Neptune 30.33 Pluto 49.31 Haumea 51.60 Makemake 52.76 Eris 97.46

Other dwarf planets, such as Quaoar, Sedna, Orcus, and Gonggong, may be classified in the future, depending on ongoing research.

The Importance of Mnemonics in Learning

Mnemonics are a powerful tool for memorization. They help us associate new information with something we already know, making it easier to recall. For example, the phrase "My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Noodles" (MER-CURY, VEN-us, EARTH, MARS, JU-PIT-ER, SA-TURN, URAN-us, NEP-tune, PL-U-to) is a fun and memorable way to remember the order of planets, including Pluto.

While Pluto is no longer classified as a planet, some prefer to include it for completeness. If you adhere strictly to the eight major planets recognized today, the updated phrase is:

My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine (Pizza Pies)

MercurynVenusnEarthnMarsnJupiternSaturnnUranusnNeptunenPluton

Simply remember that there are 9 major objects to keep in line, making it easier to recall.

If you're simply trying to remember the eight accepted planets today, you might use:

My Very Educated Mother Just Spoke Utter Nonsense

MercurynVenusnEarthnMarsnJupiternSaturnnUranusnNeptune

Feel free to explore and create your own mnemonics based on what you find most memorable.

Conclusion

Remembering the planets in our solar system, including Pluto, or any other celestial objects, can be a fun and educational exercise. Whether you use traditional mnemonic devices or a more scientific approach, the key is to find a method that works for you.