The Inner Planets

Mercury Closest planet to the Sun

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

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.

Venus Second closest to the Sun

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

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.

Earth Third planet from the Sun

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”.

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.

Mars Fourth planet from the Sun

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.

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