1. The Inner Planets

4. Mercury Closest planet to the sun. Closest planet to the sun. 2 nd smallest planet 2 nd smallest planet Mercury looks like our moon- many craters and cliffs. Mercury looks like our moon- many craters and cliffs.

5. Mercury Facts Rev around the Sun-87 days Rev around the Sun-87 days Rotation 58 days, 15 hours Rotation 58 days, 15 hours Diameter- 4878 Kilometers, 3048 miles Diameter- 4878 Kilometers, 3048 miles No moons No moons No rings No rings Orbital Speed 47.89 km/s Orbital Speed 47.89 km/s.387AU from sun.387AU from sun

7. Atmosphere of Mercury Most gases on Mercury escaped, because of its low gravitational pull. Most gases on Mercury escaped, because of its low gravitational pull. However, the gases that remain form a very thin atmosphere composed of: However, the gases that remain form a very thin atmosphere composed of: hydrogen and helium, which we probably captured by Mercury from the sun’s solar winds hydrogen and helium, which we probably captured by Mercury from the sun’s solar winds two others: sodium and potassium, which came up from the crust. two others: sodium and potassium, which came up from the crust.

8. Temperature of Mercury Because Mercury is so close to the sun and has hardly any atmosphere, its temperatures are extreme. Because Mercury is so close to the sun and has hardly any atmosphere, its temperatures are extreme. Surface temperature during the day reaches 450 C, 842 F and –170 C, - 274 F at night. Surface temperature during the day reaches 450 C, 842 F and –170 C, - 274 F at night.

11. Venus Second Planet from the Sun

13. Venus Facts Revolution- 224.7 days Revolution- 224.7 days Rotation- 243 days Rotation- 243 days Diameter- 12,104 Km, or 7565miles Diameter- 12,104 Km, or 7565miles Orbital Speed- 35.03 km/s Orbital Speed- 35.03 km/s No moons No moons No rings No rings.723 AU from sun.723 AU from sun

14. Earth’s Twin Venus is called the Earth’s twin because it is very similar in mass and size. Venus is called the Earth’s twin because it is very similar in mass and size. The major difference is the atmosphere- Venus is covered by a thick, dense cloud of mostly carbon dioxide. This atmosphere is 90 times heavier than the Earth’s atmosphere which make the atmospheric pressure at sea level on Venus 90 times that of Earth’s. The major difference is the atmosphere- Venus is covered by a thick, dense cloud of mostly carbon dioxide. This atmosphere is 90 times heavier than the Earth’s atmosphere which make the atmospheric pressure at sea level on Venus 90 times that of Earth’s.

15. Atmosphere Since the atmosphere is mostly carbon dioxide, its atmosphere is highly toxic. This is because the carbon dioxide mixes with sulfur to create sulfur dioxide which is acid rain. This make the atmosphere appear yellow. Since the atmosphere is mostly carbon dioxide, its atmosphere is highly toxic. This is because the carbon dioxide mixes with sulfur to create sulfur dioxide which is acid rain. This make the atmosphere appear yellow. Clouds on Venus are so thick that they only let in 2% of the sunlight that strikes Venus top clouds to reach its surface. However, the atmosphere is so thick that all that heat is trapped which leads to the planet having the greenhouse effect. Clouds on Venus are so thick that they only let in 2% of the sunlight that strikes Venus top clouds to reach its surface. However, the atmosphere is so thick that all that heat is trapped which leads to the planet having the greenhouse effect.

16. Temperature on Venus Temperatures on Venus normally remain around 470 C which is 878 F. Temperatures on Venus normally remain around 470 C which is 878 F.

17. Explorers of Venus In 1970 the first exploration on Venus occurred by the Russians. Their spacecraft called the Venera probe began to photo and mapped Venus’s surface

18. Magellan The US followed by sending the Magellan in 1990 which mapped the surface of Venus with intense radar. This showed the surface to have huge craters, faults, volcanoes with visible lava. The US followed by sending the Magellan in 1990 which mapped the surface of Venus with intense radar. This showed the surface to have huge craters, faults, volcanoes with visible lava.

23. Earth The third planet from the sun is 150 million km away from the star. That is approximately 1 astronomical unit or AU. The third planet from the sun is 150 million km away from the star. That is approximately 1 astronomical unit or AU. Temperatures allow for solids, liquids, and gases on the Home Planet. Temperatures allow for solids, liquids, and gases on the Home Planet. Most Meteors burn up in the atmosphere before reaching the surface. Most Meteors burn up in the atmosphere before reaching the surface.

24. Earth Facts Diameter 12756 km or 7952 miles Diameter 12756 km or 7952 miles Revolution 365.25 days Revolution 365.25 days Rotation- 23 hours 56 minutes Rotation- 23 hours 56 minutes Orbital speed- 29.79 km/s Orbital speed- 29.79 km/s 1 moon 1 moon No rings No rings

26. Mars 4 th Planet from the sun

27. The Red Planet Revolution: 686.98 days Revolution: 686.98 days Rotation: 24 hours, 37 minutes Rotation: 24 hours, 37 minutes Diameter: 6794 km, or 4246.25 miles Diameter: 6794 km, or 4246.25 miles Orbital Speed: 24.13 km/s Orbital Speed: 24.13 km/s 2 moons 2 moons No rings No rings 1.525 AU from sun 1.525 AU from sun

30. Why is it called the red planet? Iron oxide in the weathered rocks on its surface give it’s a reddish appearance. Iron oxide in the weathered rocks on its surface give it’s a reddish appearance. Mars also has polar ice caps that are visible from other and get larger during the Martian winter and shrink during the summer. Is it water? Yes and No- the southern polar ice cap is made of frozen carbon dioxide, the northern polar ice cap is made of water frozen into ice. Mars also has polar ice caps that are visible from other and get larger during the Martian winter and shrink during the summer. Is it water? Yes and No- the southern polar ice cap is made of frozen carbon dioxide, the northern polar ice cap is made of water frozen into ice.

31. Mariner 9 Orbited Mars in 1971-1972 Orbited Mars in 1971-1972 Revealed long channels that could have contained flowing water Revealed long channels that could have contained flowing water Found largest volcano in the solar system, Olympus Mons Found largest volcano in the solar system, Olympus Mons

32. Viking 1 1976 landed on Mars with 2 probes, and 2 orbiters The 2 orbiters Photographed the entire surface of Mars The 2 probes landed and conducted experiments. Found No Evidence of LIFE.

34. Atmosphere of Mars Much thinner than Earth’s Much thinner than Earth’s Composed of mostly carbon dioxide, some nitrogen, and argon. Composed of mostly carbon dioxide, some nitrogen, and argon. This leads to temperature on the surface ranging from 35 C, 95 F to –170 C, -274 F. This leads to temperature on the surface ranging from 35 C, 95 F to –170 C, -274 F. There are also strong winds storms that can cover the entire planet at one time. There are also strong winds storms that can cover the entire planet at one time.

35. Moons of Mars The moons of Mars are heavily cratered and very small The moons of Mars are heavily cratered and very small Phobos is 25 km in diameter. It’s orbit is expected to have it impact Mars in 50 million years. Phobos is 25 km in diameter. It’s orbit is expected to have it impact Mars in 50 million years. Deimos is 13 km in diameter. Deimos is 13 km in diameter.

36. Phobos and Deimos Named for the Greek war god Ares Named for the Greek war god Ares Phobos means “fear” Phobos means “fear” Deimos means “panic” Deimos means “panic”

37. Olympus Mons

38. Polar Ice Caps of Mars

39. Exploring Mars In 2004 2 new probes landed on Mars. Spirit and Opportunity In 2004 2 new probes landed on Mars. Spirit and Opportunity Looked at rocks and found evidence of past water. Looked at rocks and found evidence of past water.

40. The Outer Planets 23.4

41. Jupiter In 1979, Voyager 1 flew past Jupiter. In 1979, Voyager 1 flew past Jupiter. It is the 5 th planet from the sun, and the largest planet in the solar system It is the 5 th planet from the sun, and the largest planet in the solar system Contains more mass than all the other planets combined. Contains more mass than all the other planets combined..

42. Facts about Jupiter Diameter: 142, 796 km Diameter: 142, 796 km Revolution: 11.86 years Revolution: 11.86 years Rotation: 9 hours, 55 minutes Rotation: 9 hours, 55 minutes 60+ moons 60+ moons 1 ring ( faint dust rings) 1 ring ( faint dust rings) 5.203 AU from sun 5.203 AU from sun

43. Atmosphere of Jupiter The atmosphere is hydrogen and helium and gradually changes into a planet-wide ocean of liquid hydrogen and helium towards the middle of the planet. Jupiter may even have a solid rocky core. However, if it did it would not be like Earth’s because of extreme pressure(30 times Earth’s) and temperature. The atmosphere is hydrogen and helium and gradually changes into a planet-wide ocean of liquid hydrogen and helium towards the middle of the planet. Jupiter may even have a solid rocky core. However, if it did it would not be like Earth’s because of extreme pressure(30 times Earth’s) and temperature. The atmosphere appears full of colorful clouds- swirls of white,red, tan and brown. The atmosphere appears full of colorful clouds- swirls of white,red, tan and brown.

44. Great Red Spot In the atmosphere is also a continuous storm, that appears very red. It is full of swirling high pressure gases. This one storm is about 12000 km from top to bottom, and lightning has been observed in it the winds blow hundreds of kilometers an hour. In the atmosphere is also a continuous storm, that appears very red. It is full of swirling high pressure gases. This one storm is about 12000 km from top to bottom, and lightning has been observed in it the winds blow hundreds of kilometers an hour.

45. Rings and Moons Jupiter has a faint dust ring around it. Jupiter has a faint dust ring around it. Jupiter has 60+ moons,the four largest were discovered by Galileo in 1610. They are Io, Europa, Ganymede, Callisto. Jupiter has 60+ moons,the four largest were discovered by Galileo in 1610. They are Io, Europa, Ganymede, Callisto.

46. Io Closest to Jupiter Closest to Jupiter Gravity pulls on Io from Europa and Jupiter. This causes Io to be very hot. Io is the most volcanically active body in the entire solar system. Gravity pulls on Io from Europa and Jupiter. This causes Io to be very hot. Io is the most volcanically active body in the entire solar system. Io has no atmosphere- so you couldn’t hear or feel the volcanic blasts. Io has no atmosphere- so you couldn’t hear or feel the volcanic blasts.

47. Europa 2 nd moon out from Jupiter. Completely composed of rock with a thin crust of ice 70 miles deep. Under that ice is an ocean of water Has a thin oxygen atmosphere. It is also smooth- no impact craters, no valleys, no canyons, no mountains or volcanoes, no flood plains. Has right ingredients for primitive life.

48. Ganymede Largest moon in the solar system- larger than Pluto and Mercury but not near the mass. Largest moon in the solar system- larger than Pluto and Mercury but not near the mass. Consists mostly of ice- may have had oceans of water, but froze- if it were warmer, people could possibly live there. It’s daytime temp now is –180F Consists mostly of ice- may have had oceans of water, but froze- if it were warmer, people could possibly live there. It’s daytime temp now is –180F

49. Callisto 4 th moon out from Jupiter 4 th moon out from Jupiter Composed of ice and rock Composed of ice and rock Has impact craters that are 4 billion years old, and its surface has stayed the same for almost that long. It is considered to be the longest intact surface in the solar system. Has impact craters that are 4 billion years old, and its surface has stayed the same for almost that long. It is considered to be the longest intact surface in the solar system.

50. Saturn 6 th Planet from the Sun

52. The Ringed Planet Voyager probes saw Saturn in 1980-1981 Voyager probes saw Saturn in 1980-1981 2 nd largest planet in the solar system 2 nd largest planet in the solar system Lowest density-could float on water Lowest density-could float on water Saturn is considered to be a gaseous planet, same components as Jupiter- atmosphere hydrogen and helium and the rest ammonia, methane, and water vapor. Saturn is considered to be a gaseous planet, same components as Jupiter- atmosphere hydrogen and helium and the rest ammonia, methane, and water vapor. The atmosphere gradually turns into liquid Hydrogen and helium forming a ocean like Jupiter as well. The atmosphere gradually turns into liquid Hydrogen and helium forming a ocean like Jupiter as well.

53. Saturn Facts Diameter-120,660 Km Diameter-120,660 Km Revolution-29.46 years Revolution-29.46 years Rotation-10 hours, 39 minutes Rotation-10 hours, 39 minutes Orbital Speed –9.64Km/S Orbital Speed –9.64Km/S Moons- 31 or more Moons- 31 or more Rings- thousands Rings- thousands 9.529 AU from sun 9.529 AU from sun

54. Rings and Moons Saturn has several broad rings each composed of thousands of ringlets. Each ring is composed of ice and rock particles from dust size to tens of meters across. Saturn has several broad rings each composed of thousands of ringlets. Each ring is composed of ice and rock particles from dust size to tens of meters across. Saturn has 31 or more moons, the most well known-Titan- the largest moon of Saturn which has an atmosphere of Nitrogen, Argon, and Methane. This makes SMOG so thick we cannot see the surface. Saturn has 31 or more moons, the most well known-Titan- the largest moon of Saturn which has an atmosphere of Nitrogen, Argon, and Methane. This makes SMOG so thick we cannot see the surface.

58. Uranus 7 th Planet from the Sun

59. Blue-Green Planet Voyager 2 went past Uranus in 1986. Voyager 2 went past Uranus in 1986. Uranus wasn’t even discovered until 1781. Uranus wasn’t even discovered until 1781. Large, gaseous planet with a system of thin, dark rings Large, gaseous planet with a system of thin, dark rings The magnetic field is tilted 60 degrees from its rotational poles. The magnetic field is tilted 60 degrees from its rotational poles.

60. Uranus Facts Diameter: 51,158 km Diameter: 51,158 km Revolution: 84.04 years Revolution: 84.04 years Rotation: 17 hours 14 minutes Rotation: 17 hours 14 minutes Orbital Speed: 6.81km/s Orbital Speed: 6.81km/s Moons: 25 Moons: 25 Rings: 11 Rings: 11 19.191 AU from Sun 19.191 AU from Sun

61. Atmosphere The atmosphere is composed of hydrogen, helium, and some methane. The methane is what causes it to look blue-green. The atmosphere is composed of hydrogen, helium, and some methane. The methane is what causes it to look blue-green. There are no cloud bands or storms. There are no cloud bands or storms. Underneath the atmosphere: mantle of liquid water, methane, and ammonia, then a solid rocky core. Underneath the atmosphere: mantle of liquid water, methane, and ammonia, then a solid rocky core.

63. Rotation Uranus rotates on its side Uranus rotates on its side

65. Neptune 8 th planet from the Sun( most of the Time)

67. Neptune Facts Diameter: 49,528 km Diameter: 49,528 km Revolution: 164.79 years Revolution: 164.79 years Rotation:16 hours, 3 minutes Rotation:16 hours, 3 minutes Orbital Speed: 5.43 km/s Orbital Speed: 5.43 km/s 13 moons 13 moons 4 rings 4 rings 30.061 AU from the sun 30.061 AU from the sun

68. Neptune A large, gaseous planet that Voyager 2 in 1989 visited. A large, gaseous planet that Voyager 2 in 1989 visited. Neptune and Pluto orbit crosses during part of its voyage around the sun. Neptune and Pluto orbit crosses during part of its voyage around the sun. This makes it most of the time the 8 th planet out, but sometimes the furthest out. This makes it most of the time the 8 th planet out, but sometimes the furthest out. From 1979-1999 Pluto was closer than Neptune, now Neptune is closer again. From 1979-1999 Pluto was closer than Neptune, now Neptune is closer again.

69. Atmosphere Atmosphere is composed of hydrogen, helium, and methane and its also appears blue. It has more methane than Uranus, so it appears a darker blue. Atmosphere is composed of hydrogen, helium, and methane and its also appears blue. It has more methane than Uranus, so it appears a darker blue. It has areas on the planet that are very dark, which contain storms. The Great Dark Spot, act like the Great Red Spot on Jupiter. It has areas on the planet that are very dark, which contain storms. The Great Dark Spot, act like the Great Red Spot on Jupiter.

70. Moons of Neptune There are 13 There are 13 The largest is Triton- which has a nitrogen atmosphere, and methane geysers. The largest is Triton- which has a nitrogen atmosphere, and methane geysers.

71. Pluto- tiniest planet It is a solid, rocky planet with ice and a thin atmosphere. It is normally further out in its orbit than Neptune. It is a solid, rocky planet with ice and a thin atmosphere. It is normally further out in its orbit than Neptune. The origin of Pluto is debated. There are icy comets near Neptune’s orbit, the question is: Are Pluto and it’s moon Charon part of the comets? The origin of Pluto is debated. There are icy comets near Neptune’s orbit, the question is: Are Pluto and it’s moon Charon part of the comets? Another theory is they escaped the orbits of a large gaseous planet. Another theory is they escaped the orbits of a large gaseous planet. Or did they just form out there? Or did they just form out there?

73. Pluto facts Diameter: 2290 km Diameter: 2290 km Revolution: 248.53 years Revolution: 248.53 years Rotation: 6 days, 9 hours Rotation: 6 days, 9 hours Orbital Speed: 4.74km/s Orbital Speed: 4.74km/s 1 moon 1 moon No rings No rings 39.529 AU from Sun 39.529 AU from Sun

76. Charon Charon is composed of various ices such as water and ammonia Charon is composed of various ices such as water and ammonia 728 miles wide 728 miles wide