1. The Sun and Solar System

2. The Sun The sun does not have a solid surface, it’s a ball of glowing gas. It’s ¾ Hydrogen and1/4 helium. The sun does not have a solid surface, it’s a ball of glowing gas. It’s ¾ Hydrogen and1/4 helium. The sun has an atmosphere and an interior. The sun has an atmosphere and an interior. The sun consist of the core, the radiation zone and the convection zone. The sun consist of the core, the radiation zone and the convection zone. The sun produces energy from its core. It gets it’s energy from nuclear fusion. The sun produces energy from its core. It gets it’s energy from nuclear fusion. Nuclear fusion is when hydrogen atoms join together to form helium. Nuclear fusion can only occur in extreme high temperatures and pressure. Nuclear fusion is when hydrogen atoms join together to form helium. Nuclear fusion can only occur in extreme high temperatures and pressure. Mass of Helium is less than Hydrogen. What happens to this mass? It is changed into energy. It moves outward from the core into space. Mass of Helium is less than Hydrogen. What happens to this mass? It is changed into energy. It moves outward from the core into space.

3. The Sun Middle Layer of the sun is called radiation zone. This zone has very tightly packed gas where energy is transferred into electromagnetic radiation. Middle Layer of the sun is called radiation zone. This zone has very tightly packed gas where energy is transferred into electromagnetic radiation. Outermost layer of the sun’s interior is called convection zone. Hot gases rise from the bottom of the convection zone and gradually cool as they approach the top, Cooler gas sink, forming loops of gas that move energy toward the sun’s surface. Outermost layer of the sun’s interior is called convection zone. Hot gases rise from the bottom of the convection zone and gradually cool as they approach the top, Cooler gas sink, forming loops of gas that move energy toward the sun’s surface.

4. The Sun’s Atmosphere The sun’s atmosphere are th photosphere, chromosphere and the corona. The sun’s atmosphere are th photosphere, chromosphere and the corona. Photosphere is the inner layer, it gives off light. When you look at the sun,you are looking at the photosphere. Photosphere is the inner layer, it gives off light. When you look at the sun,you are looking at the photosphere. The middle layer is called chromosphere. The middle layer is called chromosphere. The outer layer is called the corona, it looks like a halo around the sun. The outer layer is called the corona, it looks like a halo around the sun. Sunspots are areas of gas on the sun’s surface that are cooler than the gases around them. Sunspots are areas of gas on the sun’s surface that are cooler than the gases around them. Promineces are huge reddish loops of gas that link the different part of the sunspots. Promineces are huge reddish loops of gas that link the different part of the sunspots. Solar flares are when sunspots connect they release magnetic energy. This energy heats up causing the gas to erupt. Solar flares are when sunspots connect they release magnetic energy. This energy heats up causing the gas to erupt. Solar flares can increase the solar wind from the corona, resulting in an increase in the number of particles reaching Earth’s upper atmosphere. Solar flares can increase the solar wind from the corona, resulting in an increase in the number of particles reaching Earth’s upper atmosphere. Auroras occur near the Earth’s poles when particles of the solar wind strike gas molecules in the Earth’s upper atmosphere. Auroras occur near the Earth’s poles when particles of the solar wind strike gas molecules in the Earth’s upper atmosphere.

5. How Did the Solar System form? Scientist think the solar system formed about 4.6 billion years ago from a cloud of hydrogen, helium, rock, ice and other materials pulled together by gravity. Eventually, the temperature and pressure in the cloud became so high that, through nuclear fusion, hydrogen atoms were pressed together to form helium, a process that produces light and heat. Scientist think the solar system formed about 4.6 billion years ago from a cloud of hydrogen, helium, rock, ice and other materials pulled together by gravity. Eventually, the temperature and pressure in the cloud became so high that, through nuclear fusion, hydrogen atoms were pressed together to form helium, a process that produces light and heat. Away from the sun, planets began to form as gravity pulled rock, ice, and gas together. The rock and ice formed small bodies called planetesimals. Over time, planetesimals collided and stuck together, eventually combining to form all the other objects in the solar system. Away from the sun, planets began to form as gravity pulled rock, ice, and gas together. The rock and ice formed small bodies called planetesimals. Over time, planetesimals collided and stuck together, eventually combining to form all the other objects in the solar system. Close to the sun, the inner planets are small and rocky. At greater distances from the sun, planets became gas giants. Beyond the gas giants,ice and other materials produced comets and dwarf planets. Close to the sun, the inner planets are small and rocky. At greater distances from the sun, planets became gas giants. Beyond the gas giants,ice and other materials produced comets and dwarf planets.

6. The inner planets The four inner planets are Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars. These planets are similar to each other they are also called the terrestrial planets. The four inner planets are Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars. These planets are similar to each other they are also called the terrestrial planets. How do you decide what is a planet and what’s isn’t? Astronomers decided that a planet must be round, orbit the sun, and have cleared out the region of the solar system along its orbit. How do you decide what is a planet and what’s isn’t? Astronomers decided that a planet must be round, orbit the sun, and have cleared out the region of the solar system along its orbit.

7. Mercury Mercury is not much larger than our moon. It’s the closest planet to the sun. Mercury is not much larger than our moon. It’s the closest planet to the sun. Mercury is the smallest planet. Mercury is the smallest planet. It has virtually no atmosphere It has virtually no atmosphere Mercury has the greater temperature range than any other planet on the solar system. Mercury has the greater temperature range than any other planet on the solar system.

8. Venus Venus size and mass is similar to Earth. Venus is the Twin Planet Venus size and mass is similar to Earth. Venus is the Twin Planet Venus density and internal structure are similar to Earth. Venus density and internal structure are similar to Earth. Venus takes about 7.5 Earth months to revolve around the sun. It takes 8 months for Venus to rotate once on it’s axis. Venus takes about 7.5 Earth months to revolve around the sun. It takes 8 months for Venus to rotate once on it’s axis. Venus rotates from East to West, the opposite direction from other planets Venus rotates from East to West, the opposite direction from other planets Venus atmosphere is so thick that it’s always cloudy. The clouds are made of sulfuric acid. Venus atmosphere is so thick that it’s always cloudy. The clouds are made of sulfuric acid. The CO2 in the atmosphere traps heat so well that Venus has the hottest surface of any planet. The trapping of heat in the atmosphere is called the greenhouse effect The CO2 in the atmosphere traps heat so well that Venus has the hottest surface of any planet. The trapping of heat in the atmosphere is called the greenhouse effect Venus surface is covered with rock and has many volcanoes. Venus surface is covered with rock and has many volcanoes.

9. Mars Mars is called the Red Planet. Mars is called the Red Planet. The reddish color is due to the breakdown of iron-rich rocks, which creates a rusty dust. The reddish color is due to the breakdown of iron-rich rocks, which creates a rusty dust. Mars Atmosphere is 95% CO2 Mars Atmosphere is 95% CO2 It has a thin atmosphere and its distance from the sun is very cold. Mars has ice capes at both poles. It has a thin atmosphere and its distance from the sun is very cold. Mars has ice capes at both poles. Liquid water cannot exist for long on Mar’s surface. Because of it’s thin atmosphere any liquid can turn into gas. Liquid water cannot exist for long on Mar’s surface. Because of it’s thin atmosphere any liquid can turn into gas. Mars has seasons because of it’s tilted axis. Mars has seasons because of it’s tilted axis. Some regions of Mars have giant volcanoes. Some regions of Mars have giant volcanoes. Mars has 2 small moons. One of it’s moons are spiraling down toward Mars. Mars has 2 small moons. One of it’s moons are spiraling down toward Mars.

10. The Outer Planets The four outer planets are-Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. These planets are much larger and massive than Earth. They do not have a solid surface. These planets are called the gas giants. The four outer planets are-Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. These planets are much larger and massive than Earth. They do not have a solid surface. These planets are called the gas giants. The gas giants are made of hydrogen and helium. The gas giants are made of hydrogen and helium. These planets exerts a much stronger gravitational pull. Gravity keeps the giant planet’s gases from escaping,so they have a thick atmosphere. These planets exerts a much stronger gravitational pull. Gravity keeps the giant planet’s gases from escaping,so they have a thick atmosphere. All gas giant planets have many moons. All gas giant planets have many moons.

11. Jupiter Jupiter is the largest and most massive planet Jupiter is the largest and most massive planet Thick atmosphere made of H and He. Thick atmosphere made of H and He. It has a great red spot, is a storm larger than Earth. It has a great red spot, is a storm larger than Earth. There is no land to weaken the storm There is no land to weaken the storm The pressure on Jupiter is about 30 million times greater than the pressure on Earth. The pressure on Jupiter is about 30 million times greater than the pressure on Earth. It has 4 largest moons. It has 4 largest moons.

12. Saturn Second largest planet. Second largest planet. It has rings around it. These rings are made of chunks of ice and rocks, each traveling in it’s own orbit around Saturn. It has rings around it. These rings are made of chunks of ice and rocks, each traveling in it’s own orbit around Saturn. It has 5 moons. It has 5 moons.

13. Uranus Uranus is very cold because it’s a twice as far from the sun than Saturn. Uranus is very cold because it’s a twice as far from the sun than Saturn. Uranus’s axis of rotation is tilted at an angle of about 90 degrees from the vertical. Uranus’s axis of rotation is tilted at an angle of about 90 degrees from the vertical.

14. Neptune Neptune is a cold blue planet. Neptune is a cold blue planet. It’s atmosphere contains visible clouds. It’s atmosphere contains visible clouds. 13 moons orbiting Neptune 13 moons orbiting Neptune

15. How do scientists classify small objects in the Solar system? The solar system contains many small objects that, like planets, orbit the sun. Scientist classify these objects based on their sizes, shapes, compositions, and orbits. The major categories include dwarf planets,comets, asteroids and meteoroids. The solar system contains many small objects that, like planets, orbit the sun. Scientist classify these objects based on their sizes, shapes, compositions, and orbits. The major categories include dwarf planets,comets, asteroids and meteoroids. Most small solar system objects are found in three areas: the asteroid belt, the Kuiper belt, and the Oort cloud. The asteroid belt is the region between Mars and Jupiter. Beyond Neptune is the region called Kuiper belt, which extends 100 a.u. Furhter out is the Oort cloud, extending more than 1,000 times the distance between the sun and Neptune. Most small solar system objects are found in three areas: the asteroid belt, the Kuiper belt, and the Oort cloud. The asteroid belt is the region between Mars and Jupiter. Beyond Neptune is the region called Kuiper belt, which extends 100 a.u. Furhter out is the Oort cloud, extending more than 1,000 times the distance between the sun and Neptune.

16. Comets, Asteroids and Meteors The sun, planets and moons are not the only objects in the solar system. The smaller objects that are floating in the solar system are comets, asteroids and Meteors. The sun, planets and moons are not the only objects in the solar system. The smaller objects that are floating in the solar system are comets, asteroids and Meteors.

17. Comets Comets are loose collection of ice, dust and small rocky particles whose orbits are usually very long, narrow ellipses. Comets are loose collection of ice, dust and small rocky particles whose orbits are usually very long, narrow ellipses. Most comets revolve around the sun in very long, narrow orbits. Gas and dust tails form as the comet approaches the sun. Most comets revolve around the sun in very long, narrow orbits. Gas and dust tails form as the comet approaches the sun.

18. Asteroids After moons, the next largest objects in the solar system are large rocks called asteroids. A few asteroids are larger than some moons of the solar system. After moons, the next largest objects in the solar system are large rocks called asteroids. A few asteroids are larger than some moons of the solar system. Scientist hypothesize that asteroids are leftover pieces of the early solar system that never came together to form a planet. Scientist hypothesize that asteroids are leftover pieces of the early solar system that never came together to form a planet. Most asteroids revolve around the sun between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. The region of the solar system is called the asteroid belt. Asteroids have an irregular shape. Asteroids have an irregular shape. Someday an asteroid could hit our planet. One or more asteroids did hit our planet. (Mesozoic Era) Someday an asteroid could hit our planet. One or more asteroids did hit our planet. (Mesozoic Era)

19. Meteors A meteoroid is a chunk of rock or dust in space. Meteoroids come from comets or asteroids. A meteoroid is a chunk of rock or dust in space. Meteoroids come from comets or asteroids. Some meteoroids form when asteroids collide in space. Some meteoroids form when asteroids collide in space. When a meteoroid enters Earth's atmosphere, friction with the air creates heat and produces a streak in the sky-a meteor. When a meteoroid enters Earth's atmosphere, friction with the air creates heat and produces a streak in the sky-a meteor. Meteoroids that pass through the atmosphere and hit the Earth’s surface are called meteorites. The craters on the moon were formed by meteoroids. Meteoroids that pass through the atmosphere and hit the Earth’s surface are called meteorites. The craters on the moon were formed by meteoroids.