2. General Info Revolution- a small object going around a bigger object Rotation- an object spinning on its axis. 8 planets + 5 dwarf planets in our solar system Inner planets: Mercury Venus Mars Earth Outer planets: Jupiter Saturn Uranus neptune
3. General Info (cont) Differences between inner and outer planets There are more craters on the inner planets because the outer planets are not solid, therefore impact with smaller objects is impossible Orbit- a path followed by a planet/satellite as it revolves around a larger object
4. General info (cont 2) To be considered a planet, need to meet 3 requirements: Revolve around the sun Have enough mass to turn round because of gravity Clears out objects in its path Dwarf planet- a body that meets the first 2 requirements but not the third one Dwarf planets: Pluto Ceres Eris Haumea Makemake
6. Mercury It has no substantial atmosphere because it’s so tiny. Atmosphere is composed of helium and sodium. Three processes shaped mercury: Impact cratering Volcanism Tectonic activity
7. Venus Aka. The evening star because it is the brightest planet that could be viewed from earth. Atmosphere is composed of carbon dioxide and sulfuric acid Retrograde rotation- it rotates in the opposite direction as the other planets It rotates really slow, so a day is longer than a year. It spins the wrong way, so on Venus the sun rises in the west and sets in the east. It’s greenhouse effect makes it the hottest planet in the solar system.
8. Earth Atmosphere: 21% oxygen 78% nitrogen 0.9% argon 0.1% other gases Our atmosphere protects us from meteorites and the sun's harmful waves. Tilts at a 23.5o angle. The magnetic field is produced by the Earth’s rotation and it’s metal core. Has a natural satellite called “The Moon”, plus lots of artificial ones.
9. Mars Scientists study little pieces of rock from mars to try and find sign of life. Atmosphere is mostly carbon dioxide. It appears red because of the rusty iron on the surface. Olympus Mons is the largest volcano in the solar system. It is on mars. To small moons: Phobos Deimos
11. Jupiter It rotates really fast so the equator bulges while the ends are flatter Atmosphere Hydrogen Helium Sulfur Nitrogen Giant red spot- a huge hurricane that has been there since almost forever ago Has at least 63 moons (more to be discovered) Io is volcanic, and the hot spots are hotter than any other body in the solar system.
12. Saturn Atmosphere: Hydrogen Helium Rings are caused by the breakup of old moons. Rings are made of water ice and dust. Saturn is very light, could float on water Seasons on Saturn last 30 times longer than seasons on earth.
13. Uranus It rotates on its side Atmosphere: Hydrogen Helium Methane 27 known satellites.
14. Neptune Atmosphere: Ammonia Helium Methane On the question sheet it asks how many moons does Uranus have. I assume that it is a typo and it was meant to ask how many moons does Neptune have. 13 known natural satellites Triton might originally be a dwarf planet, or moon of Uranus, or moon of Pluto, or something else that got sucked into Neptune's gravitational pull
16. Pluto Moons: Charon Nix Hydra By using a spectroscope, scientists detected methane frost on Pluto and water frost on Charon. Charon is half the size of pluto
17. Ceres One revolution= 4.6 earth years It is among lots of asteroids so it was considered an asteroid for a period of time. Water ice, carbonates, and clays can be found on the surface
18. Eris Old name is Xena One revolution= 557 earth years Moon= Dysnomia It did not clear out its orbit so it is not considered a planet.
