Planet Mnemonic: How to Remember the Order of the Planets

By · Updated on · Details checked on 11 October 2026

We all know our eight planets – but do we also know their order? When it comes to listing them, we often struggle to recall the correct sequence. This is where a handy planet mnemonic comes to the rescue as a simple memory aid.

⚡ The quick answer: The best-known English mnemonic for the order of the planets is: “My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nachos.” The initials stand for: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune – from the Sun outwards.

Both the names and the order of the planets can be recalled and worked out in no time.

Planet mnemonic
Planet mnemonic, image: public domain
High Point Scientific
Visit High Point Scientific — a trusted US astronomy retailer*
Astroshop
Europe's largest astronomy retailer*

A memory aid for the order of our planets

“My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nachos.”

In this planet mnemonic, the order of increasing distance from the Sun is encoded in the first letters of each word. A memory sentence like this is also called an acrostic. The well-known German version, “Mein Vater erklärt mir jeden Sonntag unseren Nachthimmel” (My father explains our night sky to me every Sunday), follows exactly the same principle.

Want to see the planets for real? Our telescope guide for beginners shows which instrument is worth it – and for children there are dedicated recommendations.

The order is learned. How about actually showing them the planets?
Six short questions, an honest answer by e-mail – the child’s age included.

Which telescope suits you?

Answer a few quick questions – your personal telescope recommendation lands straight in your inbox. Free and no strings attached.

Question 1 of 6

Just tap your answer – it moves on automatically.

Who is the telescope for?

What do you mainly want to observe?

Do you also want to take photos through the telescope?

Will you often take the telescope to a different observing site?

What is your budget?

Almost done! Where should we send your recommendation?

We use your details solely to send you your personal telescope recommendation by email. Details in our privacy policy.

🌠

Great – your personal telescope recommendation is on its way to your inbox!

No email? Please check your spam folder too, or write to us at info@sterngucker.de.

More mnemonics for planets and small bodies

Another memory aid, which also includes the small bodies of the solar system, goes as follows:

“My Very Energetic Mother Additionally Just Sends Us New Kepler Objects.”

More memory aids include:

  • My Very Easy Method Just Speeds Up Naming.
  • Mary’s Violet Eyes Make Jack Stay Up Nights.
  • My Very Efficient Memory Just Serves Us Nachos.
  • My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Noodles.

Want to buy your first telescope? Here’s a quick check.

Do you want to transport the telescope over long distances?




Would you like very simple operation, even if it means you can’t upgrade the telescope later?




Would you like automatic object location (GoTo)?






Your result:


High Point ScientificOur partner shop: a trusted US astronomy retailer – telescopes, binoculars & accessories.Visit High Point Scientific* →
AstroshopOur partner shop: Europe’s large astronomy retailer – telescopes, binoculars & accessories, shipping across Europe.Visit Astroshop* →

Planet mnemonic for children

For younger children, such memory sentences and mnemonics are perfect for sparking their enthusiasm for astronomy. There are even more sayings tailored especially to a child’s world:

“My Very Energetic Mum Just Served Us Nuggets.”

Or:

“My Very Enormous Monster Just Scared Uncle Nick.”

The outdated planet mnemonic (with Pluto)

Until 2006, one of the most popular mnemonics for the order of the planets in our solar system still included a ninth planet:

“My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas.”

In 2006, at the astronomy congress in Prague, scientists decided that Pluto would no longer count as a planet. Since then, Pluto has been classified as a dwarf planet – one of many smaller objects in the Kuiper Belt.

What is the planet mnemonic?

Now that Pluto is no longer a planet (but a dwarf planet), one mnemonic for the order is:

“My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nachos”.

You will find more planet mnemonics here.

What is the order of the planets?

In order of their distance from the Sun, the planets are: Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. See the mnemonic.

How do you explain the stars to children?

This question is answered here in the article “How do you explain the stars to children?”.

What is happening in the sky – about once a month

The best observing dates, explained in plain language, plus honest buying advice without the marketing noise. Free, unsubscribe any time.

You will get a confirmation email in a moment. Your address stays with us – no sharing, no third-party ads.