Which Way do Planets Rotate?

Venus is the only planet in the solar system that rotates clockwise — all of the others rotate counter-clockwise, with the possible exception of Uranus, which rotates from east to west like Venus, but sideways. Additionally, Venus' orbit is the closest to circular of any planet in the solar system; the orbits of the other planets are distinctly elliptical. Venus also is the brightest planet in the solar system, because the sulfurous clouds that cover it reflect the sun's light very effectively.

More facts about planets:

• All of the other planets in the solar system could fit inside Jupiter. The red storm spot alone is about three times as big as the earth. The storm in the red spot has been going on continuously for at least 400 Earth years.


• Neptune has the fastest winds of any planet in the solar system. They regularly get up to 1,200 mph (2,000 kph).


• A dwarf planet, Ceres, exists between Mars and Jupiter. It is actually an asteroid and was promoted to dwarf planet status by the same definition modification that changed Pluto's status from planet to dwarf planet in 2006.