1. The Inner Planets

2. Mercury
Closest planet to the Sun

3. Mercury Facts Mercury’s surface Mercury is the second smallest
planet. I t can be seen without
a telescope, but it is usually
hidden by sunlight. It is a rocky
Planet with a molten iron core.
It surface has many craters that
were caused by objects hitting it
throughout the years.
Its weather is either extremely cold
or extremely hot.
Mercury races around the Sun
faster than any other planet. The
length of a Mercurial year is 88
Days.
Mercury’s surface

4. God of Commerce & Communication
Mercury,
God of Commerce & Communication
Mercury is named for the
Roman God of commerce and
communication. He was prayed
to mainly by merchants and
served as a Messenger of Mount
Olympus. He had winged shoes
which made him very fast. He
also held a money bag.
Scientists think that the God
Mercury was thought to be fast
By the Romans because the
planet only appears 3 times
a year.

5. Venus
Second closest to the Sun

6. The Surface of Venus Venus’s mountainous surface
Venus is the brightest in the sky,
next to the moon. This is because
its atmosphere is made up of
sulfuric acid clouds. Much of its
surface is covered with lava. Many
volcanoes are still active. There is
no water on Venus because it has
all boiled away from the heat of the
Sun.
Venus is considered Earth’s “sister”
planet. It is the same size and
density and its core is iron, also.
A Venerian year is 225 days. A
Venerian day is 243 Earth days,
which means a day on Venus is
longer than its year!
Venus’s mountainous surface

7. Venus, Roman Goddess of Love & Beauty
Venus was born in the sea.
She is the daughter of
Jupiter and the mother of
Cupid. Cupid is a little mis-
chievious God of love. He
carries a bow and arrow.
Anyone struck by one of his
arrows falls madly in love.
Friday is named after
Venus.

8. Earth
Third planet from the Sun

9. The Water Planet The Earth is made up of 3 layers.
Its core is made of iron which is
the reason a compass works.
On top of the solid iron core is a
thick layer of liquid rock. The top
layer of earth is a thin, solid
surface. Surrounding the Earth
is an atmosphere of oxygen,
hydrogen, nitrogen and carbon
dioxide. Its year is 365 days.
Seventy to seventy-five percent
of the Earth’s surface is water.
That is how it got its nickname
the “blue planet”.

10. Earth, Meaning Land Earth is the only planet not named
after a Greek or Roman
God. It’s Old English
and German in origin.
The Old English word,
“eartha”, means land.

11. Mars
Fourth planet from the Sun

12. The Martian Surface The newly photographed
surface is very dusty and rocky.
Mars’s core is made of iron.
This gives it its red color.
The weather on Mars is very
cold. Like Earth, Mars has
sandy deserts, polar ice caps,
volcanoes and canyons. Mars
has the largest volcano in
the Solar System called
Olympus Moon.
A Martian year is 687 Earth
Days long.

13. Mars, Roman God of War Mars is the Roman God of war.
Many believe mars is named after
the God of war because of its red
color, which resembles blood.
He is one of Rome’s most
important Gods.
The month of March is named
after him. This is due to the fact
that most Roman wars began
with the beginning of Spring,
after a winter break from battle.
He carries a shield and spear