Our Solar System http://glencoe.mheducation.com/sites/dl/free/0078600472/164213/00076702.html

Planets Inner Planets Outer Planets Mercury Venus Earth Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune http://www.science4us.com/elementary-earthspace-science/space/exploring-the-universe/

The Inner Planets

Characteristics of an Inner Planet: Smaller than outer planets Few to no moons Less dense than outer planets Hotter than outer planets Solid Also called the Rocky Planets

Mercury First Planet from the Sun Smallest planet in our solar system Fastest revolution around the Sun Named after the quick messenger of the Roman gods No moons Hot days, cold nights Covered in craters Day: 59 Earth days Year: 88 Earth years

Venus 2nd planet from the Sun Hottest planet in the solar system due to the greenhouse effect Known as the “Evening Star” or “Morning Star” No moons Named after the Roman goddess of beauty and love Similar to the size and mass of Earth Day: 243 Earth days Year: 224.7 Earth days

Earth 3rd planet from the Sun Only planet known to contain life One moon 93 million miles from the Sun Year: 365 ¼ days Day 24 hours Has four seasons

Mars 4th planet from the Sun Day: 24.6 Earth hours Year: 687 Earth days Known as “The Red Planet” Named after the Roman god of war Has two moons: Phobos and Deimos

The Outer Planets

Characteristics of an Outer Planet: Colder than inner planets Larger than inner planets More dense than inner planets Many moons Gaseous Also called the Jovian Planets and Gas Giant Planets

Jupiter 5th planet from the Sun Largest planet Diameter is 11 times bigger than Earth’s Faint, narrow rings 62 known moons Day: 9 Earth hours Year: 11.86 Earth years Named after the primary Roman god

Named after the Roman god of agriculture Saturn 6th planet from the Sun Day: 10 Earth hours Year: 29.46 Earth years Thousands of rings At least 48 known moons 2nd largest planet Named after the Roman god of agriculture

Uranus 7th planet from the Sun Third largest planet in the solar system Rotates on its side Day: 18 Earth hours Year: 84 Earth years Named after the Roman god of the sky 11 rings 27 moons

Named after the Roman god of the Sea Neptune 8th planet from the Sun 13 moons Faint, narrow rings Day: 19 Earth hours Year: 165 Earth years Named after the Roman god of the Sea http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forkids/kidsclub/flash/games/levelfive/KC_Solar_System.html

Test Your Knowledge http://www.childrensuniversity.manchester.ac.uk/interactives/science/earthandbeyond/planets/

The Sun Located at the center of the solar system Star made up of hydrogen and helium 1,300,000 Earth’s could fit inside the sun 109 times bigger than Earth Yellow star

https://www. youtube. com/watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZC7mocf1Q4&index=17&list=PLqTEqBBPoqwVTbS_6i2lsAmWTaW9312Fl

Meteors, Meteorites, and Meteroids Meteroid – small bodies that travel through space Meteor – meteoroid that has reached earth’s atmosphere; sometimes called a “Shooting Star” Meteorite – a meteor that has fallen to Earth

Asteroids Also known as planetoids or minor planets Most revolve around the sun between Mars and Jupiter First and biggest ever discovered is named Ceres

Comets Small icy, celestial body that orbits the sun Sometimes called “Dirty Snowballs”

Apply Your Knowledge of the Solar System http://www-g.eng.cam.ac.uk/mmg/teaching/peterstidwill/interact/resources/astroadventure.htm https://www.nasa.gov/kidsclub/flash/games/level5/Solar_System.html