The Planets in our Solar The Planets in our Solar SystemSystem

Our Solar SystemOur Solar System

Is composed of a central star and 8 Is composed of a central star and 8 orbiting planets.orbiting planets.

PlanetsPlanets

Definition: a celestial object that orbits one Definition: a celestial object that orbits one or more stars and is capable of forming a or more stars and is capable of forming a sphere shape under it’s own gravity.sphere shape under it’s own gravity.A planet must be the largest object that A planet must be the largest object that

crosses it’s orbit.crosses it’s orbit.This is why Pluto is no longer considered a This is why Pluto is no longer considered a

planet.planet.

Pluto’s orbitPluto’s orbit

Types of PlanetsTypes of Planets

In our system there are:In our system there are:

Terrestrial planets – made of solid matterTerrestrial planets – made of solid matter

Gas giants – made of swirling gases. Very bigGas giants – made of swirling gases. Very big

MercuryMercury

Named after the Roman god of speed an Named after the Roman god of speed an delivery.delivery.

MercuryMercury

Smallest planetSmallest planetClosest to the sunClosest to the sunNo atmosphere No atmosphere (no protection from suns rays or meteors)(no protection from suns rays or meteors)

Temp varies greatly. At night -180C, at Temp varies greatly. At night -180C, at day, up to 400Cday, up to 400C

Period of rotation: 60 earth days.Period of rotation: 60 earth days.Revolution: 0.2 earth years.Revolution: 0.2 earth years.

VenusVenus

Named after the Roman goddess of Named after the Roman goddess of beautybeauty

VenusVenus

Similar in size to earth (sister planet)Similar in size to earth (sister planet)First “star” to appear at night.First “star” to appear at night.Very thick atmosphere. Permanent cloud Very thick atmosphere. Permanent cloud

cover.cover.Planet is bombarded with sulfuric acid rain Planet is bombarded with sulfuric acid rain

and exploding volcanoes.and exploding volcanoes.Surface temp above 450CSurface temp above 450C

VenusVenus

Period of rotation: 240 earth days.Period of rotation: 240 earth days.

Revolution: 0.6 earth years.Revolution: 0.6 earth years.

EarthEarth

EarthEarth

Only planet capable of maintaining life.Only planet capable of maintaining life.Distance from sun is perfect to allow water Distance from sun is perfect to allow water

to exist in all 3 states.to exist in all 3 states.Atmosphere protects planet from UV rays.Atmosphere protects planet from UV rays.The magnetic field, created by the iron The magnetic field, created by the iron

core, protects it from other radiation.core, protects it from other radiation.

MarsMars

Named after the Roman god of warNamed after the Roman god of war

MarsMars

Carbon dioxide atmosphereCarbon dioxide atmosphereTemperatures below 0 (there are icecaps)Temperatures below 0 (there are icecaps)Has 2 tiny moons – Phobos and DeimosHas 2 tiny moons – Phobos and Deimos

Most explored planet other than earthMost explored planet other than earth

Rotational Period: 1.03 earth daysRotational Period: 1.03 earth daysRevolution: 1.7 earth yearsRevolution: 1.7 earth years

JupiterJupiter

Named after the Roman King of the godsNamed after the Roman King of the gods

JupiterJupiter

Largest planet in our systemLargest planet in our systemContains more mass than every other Contains more mass than every other

planet combined.planet combined.Mostly H and He swirling at high speeds.Mostly H and He swirling at high speeds.Giant red spot is a massive hurricane.Giant red spot is a massive hurricane.Has 3 thin rings and over 60 moonsHas 3 thin rings and over 60 moons

JupiterJupiter

Rotational period: 0.41 daysRotational period: 0.41 daysRevolution: 12 earth yearsRevolution: 12 earth years

SaturnSaturn

Named after the Roman god of agriculture and Named after the Roman god of agriculture and strength.strength.

SaturnSaturn

Second largest planetSecond largest planetCharacterized by thousands of giant rings Characterized by thousands of giant rings

made of ice and dust.made of ice and dust.Composed of H and HeComposed of H and HeWind speeds can reach 1800km/hWind speeds can reach 1800km/hHas over 60 moonsHas over 60 moons

SaturnSaturn

Rotation: 0.45 earth daysRotation: 0.45 earth days

Revolution: 30 earth yearsRevolution: 30 earth years

UranusUranus

Named after the ancient Greek deity of the sky.Named after the ancient Greek deity of the sky.

UranusUranus

Blue green gas giant composed H, He and Blue green gas giant composed H, He and MethaneMethane

Axis of rotation is tilted toward it’s orbit. It Axis of rotation is tilted toward it’s orbit. It appears to “roll” along it’s path around the appears to “roll” along it’s path around the sun.sun.

Has a large vertical ring system and 17 Has a large vertical ring system and 17 moons.moons.

UranusUranus

Rotation: 0.72 earth daysRotation: 0.72 earth days

Revolution: 84 earth yearsRevolution: 84 earth years

NeptuneNeptune

Named after the Roman god of the sea.Named after the Roman god of the sea.

NeptuneNeptune

The last planet in our solar system.The last planet in our solar system.Composed of H, He, and Methane, but is a Composed of H, He, and Methane, but is a

darker blue than Uranus.darker blue than Uranus.Wind speeds can reach 2500km/hWind speeds can reach 2500km/h

Has a faint ring system and 8 moons.Has a faint ring system and 8 moons.

Rotation: 0.67 earth daysRotation: 0.67 earth daysRevolution: 165 earth years.Revolution: 165 earth years.