 Mercury  Venus  Earth  Mars

Characteristics Small Small Rocky surface Rocky surface

Mercury The size of Earth’s moon The size of Earth’s moon Has no moons of it’s own Has no moons of it’s own Because it is so close to sun, it is hard to see Because it is so close to sun, it is hard to see Only half of the planet has been photographed, the rest is a mystery Only half of the planet has been photographed, the rest is a mystery Surface is flat and rocky Surface is flat and rocky Small amounts of gas in atmosphere Small amounts of gas in atmosphere During day:430 degrees C During day:430 degrees C During night:- 170 degrees C During night:- 170 degrees C

Mercury Questions… 1. W hat is Mercury’s surface like? 2. W hen is Mercury hot? 3. W hen is it cold? 4. W hy is Mercury hard to study? 5. W hat do you think the other side of Mercury looks like? (3 sentences)

Mercury Activities… Do Mercury mini-mural Do Mercury mini-mural Do Mercury word search-page 13 Do Mercury word search-page 13

Venus Venus shines like a star in the sky- it reflects light from the sun Venus shines like a star in the sky- it reflects light from the sun Called Earth’s twin because they are the same in size Called Earth’s twin because they are the same in size Venus rotates backwards, east to west- retrograde rotation- may have been struck by a large object Venus rotates backwards, east to west- retrograde rotation- may have been struck by a large object We could not breath on Venus- it’s full of carbon dioxide We could not breath on Venus- it’s full of carbon dioxide

Venus continued… There is NEVER a sunny day on Venus, the clouds are too thick! There is NEVER a sunny day on Venus, the clouds are too thick! The clouds trap the heat near Venus’ surface –greenhouse effect The clouds trap the heat near Venus’ surface –greenhouse effect The temperature is around 900 degrees F everyday! The temperature is around 900 degrees F everyday! 20 spacecraft have visited Venus 20 spacecraft have visited Venus The surface is full of volcanoes with lava flow, craters, and strange domes not seen before. The surface is full of volcanoes with lava flow, craters, and strange domes not seen before.

Venus Questions… 1. Is Venus star? How does it shine in the night sky? 2. Why can’t astronomers see what Venus looks like? 3. Why is Venus moving backwards? 4. What is one thing that Earth and Venus have in common?

Venus activities… Do Venus mini-mural Do Venus mini-mural

Earth Atmosphere made from oxygen, nitrogen, and clouds of water droplets Atmosphere made from oxygen, nitrogen, and clouds of water droplets 70% of Earth is covered in water 70% of Earth is covered in water We are the ONLY planet with oceans! We are the ONLY planet with oceans! 3 main layers- crust, mantle, and core 3 main layers- crust, mantle, and core

Earth Questions… 1. What is in our atmosphere that we need to breath? 2. How much of our planet is covered with land? 3. What are the 3 layers of the Earth? 4. Which layer is on the outside?

Compare and Contrast Earth and Venus: EarthVenus

Mars Called the “red planet” Called the “red planet” Atmosphere is mostly carbon dioxide Atmosphere is mostly carbon dioxide Mars is very cold Mars is very cold It has ice caps on both poles. It has ice caps on both poles.

Mars continued… Water used to flow like ours millions of years ago It has seasons like Earth Used to have active volcanoes Two small moons covered in craters

Inner Planets Review 1. What characteristics do all inner planets have in common? 2. Why is it hard to learn about Mercury? 3. Why could Earth be called the “water planet”? 4. Why can astronomers see the surface of Mars clearly, but not Venus? 5. Why is the surface of Venus so hot? 6. Name two features that Mars and Earth both have.