Mercury Mythology - Hermes – The messenger god) 1 st ever color photo of Mercury by MESSENGER probe; 2008

Mercury Transit across Sun 1 st ever color photo of Mercury by MESSENGER probe; 2008

Mercury Mapped by Mariner 10

Mercury vs. Earth & Moon 1/6 size of Earth

Mercury Images by Mariner 10

Mercury Statistics: *.4 A.U. From Sun * 1/3 Size of Earth * Orbital Period = 3 Months *Rotation Period = 88 Days * Surface Gravity = 1/6 of Earths * The planet is too small to hold an atmosphere

Atmosphere: There is no atmosphere heat is not trapped on the planet. it is VERY HOT during the day, and VERY COLD during the night Mercury is NOT the hottest or coldest planet.

core 1.Very Large 2.Solid 3.Iron Mercury has a disproportionately large Iron core. It should be cooled and solid. However, MESSENGER flyby data indicates the core is partially molten. This contradicts current theories.

Lobate scarps Definition – curved cliffs Cause = When the core cooled,it shrunk, causing the crust to collapse.

Mercury Missions to Mercury Mariner 10 Launched Nov 1973 Flyby March 1974 MESSENGER Launched Aug 2004 Orbit insertion March 2011

Mercury MESSENGER Orbit Insertion –> Launch – E – V – V - M – M - M

Mercury MESSENGER Orbit Insertion –> Launch – E – V – V - M – M - M

Venus Aphrodite – The goddess of Love The Morning/Evening Star/Sister Planet

Venus Statistics Distance -.73 A.U. From Sun Size – Same Diameter as Earth

More Statistics Orbital Period –.6 Years Rotation Period – 243 days Surface Gravity –.9 of Earths

Venus Atmosphere Runaway Greenhouse Effect –Visible light from sun hits the surface –Surface reradiates the energy in the form of infrared –Clouds block some of the IR from escaping –Surface gets hotter

Runaway Greenhouse Effect Results CO 2 Atmosphere NO WATER!

CO 2 Atmosphere

No Water!

Atmospheric Conditions 1.Pressure 90x that of Earths 2. Very dry, no surface water 3. Sulfuric Acid in Clouds Atmosphere 4. Temperature 900 F 5. Wind Speed up to 250 Miles per Hour.

Venus Weather Images/Video from Venus Express Orbiter Twin cyclones: two storms with low- pressure centers that causes a circular pattern of winds to form.

Weather Vortex Storms: –huge swirling vortex of clouds around Venus' southern pole. –changes shape within just a few days –The rotation of Venus deflects them sideways so they swirl together, like water going down the drain of a bathtub.rotation of Venus

(vortex)

Venus Solar Storms i.Venus does not have a magnetic field. ii. Solar Wind erodes away the atmosphere.

Venus Missions Venera 9-14 – – Landers ( First & only images of Surface )

Venus Surface Images from Venera 13 probe

Venus Missions Magellan – 1989 – Orbiter – Created Radar Map of Surface

Venus Missions Magellan – Radar Map ~8 min magellan_mapping_venus.wmv

Venus Missions Magellan – Radar Map

Venus Missions Pioneer Venus 1 & – Orbiters & Descent Probes

Venus Missions Venus Express – 2005 to present – Orbiter Animation of Venus Express Studying Venus

Venus Missions Venus Express ~5 min

Venus Although Venus is often called Earth’s Twin or Sister planet. The only similarities is the size. Almost every other feature makes Venus very different from Earth.

Earth MESSENGER animation Leaving earth.

Earth

Atmosphere -78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen Distance -1 au from sun (93,000,000 miles) Contains water in all 3 phases Surface Gravity – 9.8 m/s Rotation – 1 day Orbit – 1 year

Earth Greenhouse Effect -Has Liquid Water (Some Water Vapor in Atmosphere) -Water vapor keeps planet warm ( main greenhouse gas ) -Ozone Layer prevents water from Disassociating

Earth Greenhouse Icehouse Technically, Earth is currently undergoing an Icehouse effect. however, most of the time, Earth is in a Greenhouse effect.

Earth Icehouse effect : - Anytime there is a continent over any of the poles, the resulting ice sheet reflects large amounts of Solar Radiation into space -causing the Earth to cool down. Image from NASA Earth Observatory

Earth Greenhouse Icehouse Technically, Earth is currently undergoing an Icehouse effect. however, most of the time, Earth is in a Greenhouse effect. GondwanalandPangaeaAntarctica

Earth Icehouse effect As long as Antarctica is at the South Pole, the Earth will continually be thrown into Glaciation periods. We are currently at the end of an Interglacial period.

Earth 70 Atmospheres of CO2 is trapped in Earths Rocks. If all of this CO2 were released, which planet would we look like? Only place we know of that supports life - 4 reasons: 1.Correct distance from sun 2.Natural/Stable greenhouse effect 3.Ozone Layer & Magnetic Field 4.Presence of Liquid Water

Planet Guidelines The IAU therefore resolves that planets and other bodies in our Solar System be defined into three distinct categories in the following way: (1) A planet 1 is a celestial body that (a) is in orbit around the Sun, (b) has sufficient mass for its self- gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) shape, and (c) has cleared the neighbourhood around its orbit. (2) A dwarf planet is a celestial body that (a) is in orbit around the Sun, (b) has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) shape 2, (c) has not cleared the neighbourhood around its orbit, and (d) is not a satellite. (3) All other objects 3 orbiting the Sun shall be referred to collectively as "Small Solar System Bodies".

Planet Guidelines (1) A planet is a celestial body that –(a) is in orbit around the Sun, –(b) has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) shape, and –(c) has cleared the neighbourhood around its orbit.

Planet Guidelines (2) A dwarf planet is a celestial body that –(a) is in orbit around the Sun, –(b) has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) shape 2, ( –c) has not cleared the neighbourhood around its orbit, and –(d) is not a satellite.

Planet Guidelines (3) All other objects 3 orbiting the Sun shall be referred to collectively as "Small Solar System Bodies".

Video Links Earth from Spaceshuttle – &feature=relatedhttp:// &feature=related Qhttp:// Q &feature=PlayList&p=0D959158C1FC558F&pla ynext=1&index=21http:// &feature=PlayList&p=0D959158C1FC558F&pla ynext=1&index=21

Mars Go to inner_mars.ppt