1. Mercury Smallest planet – 1/3 diameter of Earth
75 % of surface is covered in craters similar to the moon
No permanent atmosphere
400 Celsius to -200 Celsius
Water ice discovered in craters located in the poles

2. Venus “Earth’s twin” similar in size Hottest planet ~ 485 Celsius
Thick atmosphere of mostly Carbon Dioxide causes intense Greenhouse Effect
Can be viewed in the sky in the early morning and evenings

3. Earth

4. Mars Evidence that liquid water was present in the past
Water and wind shaped the surface features
Has a thin atmosphere of mostly Carbon Dioxide
Wind storms
~27 Celsius to -125 Celsius

5. Jupiter
Largest planet, more massive than all of the planets and moon in the solar system
Colored bands of sinking (dark) and rising gases (light)
Giant Red Spot is a hurricane that has lasted over 100 years
Most moons of any planet in our solar system ~66

6. Saturn Most complex system of rings Colored bands on surface
Has an internal source of heat
~ 1800 mph wind storms

7. Uranus Axis of rotation is tipped on it’s side, it’s rolling
Blue green color is caused by methane in the atmosphere

8. Had Great Blue Spot Storm disappeared Extreme winds ~ 2200 mph
Neptune
Had Great Blue Spot
Storm disappeared
Extreme winds ~ 2200 mph

9. Pluto and other Dwarf Planets reclassified in 2006 by the International Astronomical Union
~ 50 dwarf planets in the solar system
Pluto -5 know moons
sometimes closer than Neptune to the Sun during it’s orbit
Eris – largest dwarf planet
Ceres – closest distance to Earth
Makemake -
Haumea – elongated shape