Transcript The planets
Introduction to the Solar System BY: The Black River Astronomical Society http://www.BlackRiverAstro.org Do You Know? • Do other solar systems exist??? Do You Know? • Do other solar systems exist??? In the last few years Scientists have discovered over 500 separate Solar Systems in Space. GOAL • To be able to describe the bodies found in our solar system and the way in which they move Become a planet expert……… • • • • • • 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Numbered position from sun Inner or outer planet? Describe surface? What is it made of? Number of moons? Rings? Temperature Any other interesting info The planets • • • • • • • • Mercury Venus Earth Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune Planetary Distances • Distances between planets measured in Astronomical Units (AU) • 1 AU= distance from Earth to the Sun (150 million km) Planetary Orbits • Planets revolve around the sun in elliptical orbits (oval) • http://www.amastro.or g/at/pl/plo.html Formation of the Solar System • The solar system formed from a huge swirling cloud of gases and dust specks. The mass fell to the center and became a star (SUN) • Some of the dust and frozen gases stuck together in clumps (large clumps became planets) MERCURY- The god of commerce and thievery • • • • • • • Closest to sun Hot days, cold nights Rocky surface Revolves quick No rings or moons Slow rotation Iron/metal core VENUS- God of Love and Beauty • • • • • • 2nd from sun Slow rotation- backwards Solid rock Clouds- greenhouse effect No rings or moons Metal core EARTH • • • • • 3rd from sun Moderate temps Metal core, rocky surface One moon, no rings Life, liquid water MARS- God of War • • • • • 4th from sun Rust color w/ pink sky Icecaps Metal core, rocky surface No rings, 2 moons JUPITER- King of Gods • • • • • • • 5th from sun Largest Gas surface, rock core Colored clouds, storms Thin ring, 12 moons Great red spot Shortest day - 10 hrs SATURN- Father of Jupiter • • • • • 6th from Sun Least dense, made of gas Large, spins quick High winds 7 rings, 18 moons URANUS- God of the Heavens • • • • • • 7th from Sun Large, gaseous Blue, thick clouds Rock & ice 15 moons, 11 rings Spins sideways NEPTUNE- God of the Sea • • • • • • 8th from sun Large, gaseous Windiest, scooter cloud Great dark spot 8 moons, 4 rings Rock core Inner vs. Outer Planets • INNER PLANETS – – – – – – – Hard, rocky surface Atmosphere Metal core Warm temps No/few moons No rings Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars • OUTER PLANETS – – – – – – – – Gaseous surface Giant size Colorful clouds Many moons Many rings Cold/icy temps Exception: Pluto Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune PLUTO- God of the Underworld • • • • • 9th from Sun Cold, ice and rock surface Eccentric orbit No longer a planet Moon-Charon Assessment • Which planet is the largest? • Which planet is fourth from the sun? • Which planet is known as the double planet and why? • Name the four inner planets • What is one characteristic of all/most outer planets • What is one characteristic of all/most inner planets