The discussion focuses on gathering general information about the solar system, specifically the mass, radius, and positions of each planet relative to the sun. Participants recommend several resources, including Wikipedia pages for each planet and the website nineplanets.org, which provides comprehensive data. There is also a mention of dwarf planets, with five officially recognized by the IAU, and estimates suggesting there could be many more in the Kuiper belt. The conversation highlights the importance of reliable online sources for educational assignments. Overall, the thread serves as a helpful guide for anyone seeking detailed information about the solar system.