Looking at the Geology of Planets and Moons in Our Solar

System

Looking at the Geology of Planets and Moons in Our Solar

System

PSC 121PSC 121

Follow-up to Activity “Exploring the Follow-up to Activity “Exploring the Geology of Several Worlds from Geology of Several Worlds from

Space”Space”

Atmospheres obscure surface features

Atmospheres obscure surface features

Earth

Titanmoon of Saturn

Jupiter

Venus Uranus

Mercury

Tethysmoon of Saturn

Ganymedemoon of Jupiter

Cratering is Evident on Many Bodies

Cratering is Evident on Many Bodies

Mercury

Callisto, moon of Jupiter

Mars

Tethysmoon of Saturn

Venus

Volcanoes occur on several planets and moons

Volcanoes occur on several planets and moons

Olympus MonsMars

Galapagos IslandsEarth

Active volcano onIo, moon of Jupiter

Venus

Some plains are volcanic in origin

Some plains are volcanic in origin

Mercury

Mars

Moon

There is evidence for water in the past on Mars

There is evidence for water in the past on Mars

Some channel features are generated by flowing lava Some channel features are generated by flowing lava

Venus

Moon

Canyons exist on Earth and MarsCanyons exist on Earth and Mars

Valles Marineris on Mars

Grand Canyon on Earth

Wind generates unique featuresWind generates unique features

Venus

Martian dunes

Dune field on Earth

Martian dust devil

Water can exist as iceWater can exist as ice

Frost on Mars

Ice rafts on Earth Ice floes on Europa

Ice rimmed craters on Callisto

Polar cap onMars

What makes Earth unique is surface liquid water

What makes Earth unique is surface liquid water

Some features can be deceptive or whimsicalSome features can be deceptive or whimsical

Defrosted dunes on MarsLook like bushes!

Angle of light can make features appeardifferent; elevated region on Mars

Heart shapeddepression - Mars

Happy facecrater; Mars

Can you identify these features?Can you identify these features?

Can you identify these features?Can you identify these features?

Dunes

Ancient river valley

Ice cap

Craters

River

Volcanic craters