Gallery: Solar System - astroanderson.com

Solar System

The solar system is a gravitationally bound system dominated by a single central star, the Sun, which contains 99.86% of its total mass, which generates a powerful gravitational field that dictates the orbital mechanics of all surrounding celestial bodies.

Eight major planets revolve around the Sun: the inner terrestrial planets—Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars—are composed primarily of silicate rock and metals; the outer planets are subdivided into gas giants (Jupiter and Saturn), composed mainly of hydrogen and helium, and ice giants (Uranus and Neptune).

Moons are gravitationally bound bodies that orbit planets. Earth’s Moon is a rocky satellite likely formed via a giant impact. In contrast, Jupiter’s 95 moons have extreme geology shaped by intense gravitational forces. Tidal heating from Jupiter’s massive gravity melts the interiors of its largest satellites, known as the Galilean moons, Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto.

Image of the Moon, coloured red; lens glare added with Adobe Photoshop.Collections: Solar System — Image of Moon, coloured red; lens glare added with Adobe Photoshop.

A close-up astrophotography image of part of teh August 2026 solar eclipse, showing the dark silhouette of the Moon cutting deep into the orange solar disk. Captured from the rice fields of Pal;s, Girona Province, with Canon EOS Ra camera and 100-500mm Canon lens. — A close-up astrophotography image of part of teh August 2026 solar eclipse, showing the dark silhouette of the Moon cutting deep into the orange solar disk. Captured from the rice fields of Pals, Girona Province, with Canon EOS Ra camera and 100-500mm Canon lens.

Jupiter and its four largest moons: from left to right: Callisto, Ganymede (shadow over Jupiter surface), Io and Europa. Collections: Solar System — Jupiter and its four largest moons: from left to right: Callisto, Ganymede (shadow over Jupiter surface), Io and Europa.

Artemis II craft, image acquired by Pixinsight Team on April 5, 2026 at 01.38 UTC; in upper left quadrant, above plane trail and below two stars is a short very faint slightly curved line of Artemis II trail. I thank Vicent Peris & colleagues for taking, processing & sharing the image. Collections: Solar System — Artemis II craft, image acquired by Pixinsight Team on April 5, 2026 at 01.38 UTC; in upper left quadrant, above plane trail and below two stars is a short very faint slightly curved line of Artemis II trail. I thank Vicent Peris & colleagues for taking, processing & sharing the image.

High-resolution image of Jupiter captured with Celestron EDGE HD 9.25"; gas giant mostly of hydrogen and helium. Collections: Solar System — Jupiter, largest planet in solar system, gas giant mostly of hydrogen and helium with a mass over 300 times that of Earth, fifth planet from the Sun, with some 95 moons.

The Sun,150 million km distant (light speed, 8.3 minutes), orbits the Milky Way every 230 million years, about 4.5 billion years old, will last another 5 billion years. Collections: Solar System _ Stars — The Sun,150 million km distant (light speed, 8.3 minutes), orbits the Milky Way every 230 million years, about 4.5 billion years old, will last another 5 billion years.

Edge of the Moon, showing Sea of Serenity above Sea of Tranquility. Collections: Solar System — Edge of the Moon, showing Sea of Serenity above Sea of Tranquility

Moon, formed roughly 4.5 billion years ago, from a collision between Earth and a Mars-sized body, 27% size of Earth, average 384,400 km distant, near side of the moon always faces Earth.Collections: Solar System — Moon, formed roughly 4.5 billion years ago, from a collision between Earth and a Mars-sized body, 27% size of Earth, average 384,400 km distant, near side of the moon always faces Earth.

Half-Moon seen during day-time, when moon is in first/third quarter, at right angle to the Sun-Earth line, allowing 50% of the sunlit surface to be seen. Collections: Solar System — Half-Moon seen during day-time, when moon is in first/third quarter, at right angle to the Sun-Earth line, allowing 50% of the sunlit surface to be seen.

Near and far sides of Moon, image taken by Artemis II crew, April 2026; Orientale basin in centre lies between near (left of image) and far (right of image) sides of the Moon. Collections: Solar System — Near and far sides of Moon, image taken by Artemis II crew, April 2026; Orientale basin in centre lies between near (left of image) and far (right of image) sides of the Moon.

The Earth, image taken by Artemis II crew, April 2026; 4.5 billion years old, 150 million km from the sun, which it orbits at 30 km/s. Collections: Solar System — The Earth, image taken by Artemis II crew, April 2026; 4.5 billion years old, 150 million km from the sun, which it orbits at 30 km/s.

A chronological nine-shot photo gallery strip showing the August 2026 low-horizon solar eclipse progression, moving from a full sun to progressive obscuration over time. Captured from the rice fields of Pals, Girona Province, with Canon EOS Ra camera and 100-500mm Canon lens.

A time-lapse video tracking the progressive path of the solar moon biting into the sun as it descends low toward the western horizon in Girona, Spain. Captured from the Rice Fields of Pals, Girona Province, with Canon EOS Ra Camera and Canon RF lens 100-500mm.