Transcript Ch. 23: “Touring Our Solar System”

Ch. 23: “Touring Our
Solar System”
23.2: “The Terrestrial Planets”
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Mercury
Now the smallest planet
in the solar system,
barely larger than Earth’s
moon
 Greatest range in
temperatures (-173°C to
427°C)
 Quickest revolution, but
slower rotation (59 days)
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2
Venus
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It takes Venus longer to
rotate than to orbit the
sun!
Similar in size to Earth
Atmosphere is 97%
carbon dioxide
Atmospheric pressure is
90 times that of Earth
Thick clouds that visible
light cannot penetrate
3
Earth
Only known planet to
sustain life.
 Amazing location from
the sun
 Well…you know the
story.
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4
Mars
Polar ice caps
 Thin atmosphere ~1% as dense as
Earth’s
 Surface is literally covered in rust
(iron oxide)
 Extensive dust storms cause color
changes visible from Earth
 Water on Mars
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– Some areas of Mars exhibits drainage
patterns similar to those created by
streams on Earth.
– Images from the Mars Global Surveyor
indicate that groundwater has recently
migrated to the surface.
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