THE OUTER PLANETS

The Gaseous Planets- Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune

Gaseous planets are huge, low density planets composed mostly of gases Gaseous planets are huge, low density planets composed mostly of gases Much was learned from Voyager Space Probes in 1977 about Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune Much was learned from Voyager Space Probes in 1977 about Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune Pluto is not a terrestrial or gaseous planet Pluto is not a terrestrial or gaseous planet

JUPITER

Largest planet Largest planet Fifth from the sun Fifth from the sun Mass is more than two times greater than all the other planets combined Mass is more than two times greater than all the other planets combined 1.5 time larger in diameter than all the other planets put together 1.5 time larger in diameter than all the other planets put together Density is only slightly greater than water Density is only slightly greater than water Fastest rotating planet- about ten hours Fastest rotating planet- about ten hours Revolves around the sound- 4,332 Earth days Revolves around the sound- 4,332 Earth days

Composed mainly of Helium and Hydrogen Composed mainly of Helium and Hydrogen Like a liquid ocean as you travel deeper into Jupiter Like a liquid ocean as you travel deeper into Jupiter Core: Solid, rocky, about the size of Earth Core: Solid, rocky, about the size of Earth The only part that has been seen is it’s outer covering of clouds The only part that has been seen is it’s outer covering of clouds

The Great Red Spot A hurricane-like storm that has been seen in Jupiter’s southern hemisphere since it was first discovered in 1664 A hurricane-like storm that has been seen in Jupiter’s southern hemisphere since it was first discovered in 1664

Moons of Jupiter Has a total of 16 moons. Has a total of 16 moons. IO is the most volcanically active object in the solar system IO is the most volcanically active object in the solar system It has lava lakes and mountains much taller than on Earth It has lava lakes and mountains much taller than on Earth

Moons of Jupiter- Amaltheo, IO, Ganymede, Callisto

SATURN

Second Largest Planet Second Largest Planet Sixth from the sun Sixth from the sun Has the lowest density out of all nine planets- it would float in a bathtub! Has the lowest density out of all nine planets- it would float in a bathtub! Rotation period is about 10 hours and 39 minutes Rotation period is about 10 hours and 39 minutes Revolves around the sun- 10,759 Earth days Revolves around the sun- 10,759 Earth days

Atmosphere is made of hydrogen and helium Atmosphere is made of hydrogen and helium Winds can reach up to 1800 km per hour Winds can reach up to 1800 km per hour (1,116 mph)!- See large white spots which they believe are storms (1,116 mph)!- See large white spots which they believe are storms

Saturn is circled by several broad rings Saturn is circled by several broad rings They contain water, ice, dust, and rocks They contain water, ice, dust, and rocks Astronomers believe the rings came from satellites that broke-up Astronomers believe the rings came from satellites that broke-up

Moons of Saturn Saturn has at least 18 moons orbiting it. Saturn has at least 18 moons orbiting it. The largest is Titan- it is larger than the planet Mercury! The largest is Titan- it is larger than the planet Mercury! Saturn with two of it’s moons-Tethys and Dione -Photographed by Voyager 1 in 1980

URANUS

Seventh Planet from the sun Seventh Planet from the sun Third Largest planet Third Largest planet Large, Gaseous planet Large, Gaseous planet Known for it’s 98 degree tilt- it appears to rotate on its side! Known for it’s 98 degree tilt- it appears to rotate on its side! Atmosphere is mainly hydrogen and helium Atmosphere is mainly hydrogen and helium Bluish color caused by clouds of methane Bluish color caused by clouds of methane

Uranus has 15 moons and a system of thin, dark rings composed of rock and ice Uranus has 15 moons and a system of thin, dark rings composed of rock and ice Rings were not discovered until Rings were not discovered until dark rings composed of particles 11 dark rings composed of particles Satellites can be inside of the rings Satellites can be inside of the rings

NEPTUNE

Fourth largest planet Fourth largest planet Eighth planet from the sun Eighth planet from the sun Cannot be seen from Earth without a telescope Cannot be seen from Earth without a telescope Every 248 years, for a 20 year period, its orbit moves outside of Pluto’s, making it the most distant planet in the solar system Every 248 years, for a 20 year period, its orbit moves outside of Pluto’s, making it the most distant planet in the solar system Very similar to Uranus in composition Very similar to Uranus in composition

Rings very in darkness Rings very in darkness Has at least 8 moons Has at least 8 moons Triton is the most interesting-large geysers have been spotted there Triton is the most interesting-large geysers have been spotted there

PLUTO

Smallest in size of all the planets Smallest in size of all the planets Farthest form the sun Farthest form the sun Cannot be viewed from Earth without a telescope Cannot be viewed from Earth without a telescope No space probes have passed near Pluto. No space probes have passed near Pluto. Photographs from Hubble have provided us with some information about the planet Photographs from Hubble have provided us with some information about the planet

Pluto is very small- 1,545 miles in diameter Pluto is very small- 1,545 miles in diameter Composed mainly of ice and rock Composed mainly of ice and rock Has a moon named Charon- together they are though of as a double planet system Has a moon named Charon- together they are though of as a double planet system Pluto and Charon in comparison to the U.S.