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Our Solar Our Solar SystemSystem

Definition Of A Planet

*An object in orbit around a star but does not give off its own light, rather it shines by reflecting sunlight.

*Planets close to the sun are rocky (inner planets)

*Planets farther away from the sun consist mostly of gases and liquids (outer planets)

*There are eight major planets in our solar system.

Inner Planets are called inner planets because they orbit close to the sun. These planets are:

Mars

MercuryVenus Earth

                  

                  

Outer Planets are called outer planets because they orbit far from the sun. These planets are called:

                  

                  

Jupiter Saturn

Uranus Neptune

Asteroids are sometimes called minor planets because the are made upof rocks and metal. The rocks come in many sizes. They are found in a large area between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.

This area is known as the Asteroid Belt

MERCURYClosest planet to the sun.Second hottest planet.Now the smallest planet since Pluto is no longer one.Has no moons.Can only be seen from Earth at sunrise or sunset because it is so close to the sunRocky, cratered surface.

VENUS Second planet from the sun. The hottest planet in the Solar System. Covered with fast-moving sulphuric acid

clouds which trap the heat from the sun. It’s atmosphere is mostly carbon dioxide. Venus is slightly smaller than Earth. It has no moons. Know as the “morning star” since it is

visible and quite bright at dawn or dusk. This is because it is closer to the sun than we are.

Rotates clockwise.

EARTHThird planet from the sun.Densest planet in the Solar system.Has one moon.Fifth largest planet in the Solar System.Has an atmosphere of nitrogen, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide, and trace amounts of other gasses.Has liquid and frozen water.Polar ice caps.

MARSCalled the red planet.Fourth planet from the sun.Most Earth-like planet in the Solar System.Half the size of Earth.Dry, rocky surface.Very thin atmosphereCarbon dioxidePolar ice caps- frozen water and carbon dioxide.Large volcano- Olympus MonsTwo tiny moons- Phobos and Deimos

JUPITERFifth planet from the sun.A gas giant.It is so big that all the other planets could fit inside Jupiter.Thick atmosphere.Has a dark, barely-visible ring.Huge red spot is a long-lasting storm.Has 63 MoonsGanymede is the largest moon in Solar System.

SATURNSixth planet from the sun.Gas giant.Second biggest planet in the Solar System.Many beautiful rings made mostly of ice chunks and rocks.Saturn made of hydrogen and helium gasses.Visible without a telescope but one is needed to see the rings.Has 62 moons.

URANUSSeventh planet from the sun.Huge, icy planet covered with clouds.Encircled by a belt of 11 rings.Blue color is caused by the methane in it’s atmosphere. (absorbs red light.)Rotates on its side (along its orbital path.)Tipped rotational axis gives rise to extreme seasons.Has 27 moons.Appears to rotate clockwise.

NEPTUNE8TH planet from the sun.Giant, frigid, gas giant.Hazy atmosphere and strong winds.Narrow, faint rings.Blue color is caused by methane in its atmosphere.Axis is tilted a little more than Earth’s. Gives long-lasting seasons. The poles are in constant darkness or sunlight for 40 years at a time.Has 13 moons.

Sun - The Sun is a star at the center of our Solar System.

Mercury - Mercury is the planet closest to the Sun.

Venus - Venus is the second planet from the Sun. It is the hottest planet.

Earth - Earth is the third planet from the Sun and the planet we live on.

Mars - Mars is a red planet and the fourth planet from the Sun.

Jupiter - Jupiter is the fifth planet from the Sun. This gas giant is the largest planet.

Saturn- Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun. This gas giant has large, beautiful rings.

Uranus- Uranus is a gas giant and is the seventh planet from the Sun. Neptune- Neptune is a gas giant and is usually the eighth planet from the Sun.

The Solar SystemThe Solar SystemThe Solar System

The Solar SystemThe Solar SystemThe Solar System

SUNMercuryEarth

Mars

Jupiter Saturn

UranusNeptune

Pluto

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