1. What is Planetary Order?

Planetary order refers to the position of a planet in relation to its distance from the Sun. The closest planet to the Sun is Mercury (1st order), followed by Venus (2nd), Earth (3rd), and so on.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator determines order by comparing the input distance with known planetary distances:

Where:

• Distance is measured in Astronomical Units (AU)
• 1 AU = average Earth-Sun distance (~149.6 million km)

Explanation: The calculator sorts all planets (including your input) by distance from the Sun and returns the position.

3. Importance of Planetary Order

Details: Understanding planetary order helps in studying solar system formation, orbital mechanics, and planetary characteristics that vary with distance from the Sun.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the distance from Sun in AU (must be > 0). The calculator will show where this distance would place the object in the solar system.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What if my distance falls between two planets?
A: The calculator will show the position as if your object were a planet at that distance.

Q2: Are dwarf planets included?
A: This calculator only includes the 8 major planets. For dwarf planets like Pluto, use specialized calculators.

Q3: How accurate are the reference distances?
A: Distances are average orbital radii. Actual distances vary due to elliptical orbits.

Q4: Can I use this for exoplanets?
A: This calculator is designed for our solar system. Exoplanetary systems have different characteristics.

Q5: What's the maximum distance this calculator handles?
A: While there's no technical maximum, distances beyond Neptune (30 AU) may return "Unknown" as they're beyond known planetary orbits.