The Solar System

Solar SystemSolar System•A group of objects in space that move around a central star

The SunThe Sun•The star at the center of our solar system

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The Inner PlanetsThe Inner Planets

• The four closest planets to the Sun: Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars

• Between the Sun and the asteroid belt

MercuryMercury•Closest planet to the Sun

•Surface is covered with craters

VenusVenus•2nd planet from the Sun

•Earth’s “twin”

•Covered in yellowish-white clouds

EarthEarth•3rd planet from the Sun

•Where we live

•The “Blue Planet”

MarsMars•4th planet from the Sun

•Appears to have dried up river beds

•The “Red Planet”

•Has dry ice at the poles

Asteroid BeltAsteroid Belt• An area between the inner and outer planets

• filled with thousands and thousands of asteroids

• An asteroid is a chunk of rock and metal that orbits the sun

The Outer PlanetsThe Outer Planets

• The last five planets: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto

• The planets after the asteroid belt

JupiterJupiter•5th planet from the Sun

•Largest planet

•Made of gas; has several small moons

•Has a giant red spot

SaturnSaturn•6th planet from the Sun

•Has an extensive ring system

•Made of gas; has several moons

UranusUranus•7th planet from the Sun

•Rotates on its side

• Its rings circle its equator

•Made of gas

NeptuneNeptune•8th planet from the Sun

•Blue sphere

•Made of gas

•Similar in size to Uranus

PlutoPluto•Last planet in our solar system

•Resembles a star in space

•Solid surface, very cold

•Moon is half its size

CometsComets

•An object that is made up of ice and dust particles

•Orbits the Sun

•Has a tail

•Comet means “hairy star”

SourcesPictures are from:

• Welcome to the Planets:– http://pds.jpl.nasa.gov/planets/welcome.htm

• Views of the Solar System:– http://www.solarviews.com/eng/homepage.htm

• The Nine Planets:– http://www.seds.org/billa/tnp/