1. Astronomical Bodies in The Solar System
ESSENTIAL QUESTION: What patterns can be seen when looking at the properties of bodies in our Solar System?
Objectives:
Compare the relative distance, size, and general composition of our inner and outer planets.
Interpret data about properties of our gas giant and terrestrial planets.

2. Bell Ringer Review the diagram of the Solar System.
Based on this diagram, which statement can be concluded?
A day on Earth is longer than a day on Mercury.
A year on Venus is longer than a year on Saturn.
The average temperature on Mars is colder than the average temperature on Venus.
The average temperature on Jupiter is hotter than the average temperature on Earth.

4. Two Groups of Planets Inner planets (AKA Terrestrial (rocky) Planets)
- Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars
Outer planets (AKA Giant Gas Planets)
Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune

5. Properties of Mercury Distance from Sun: 36 mill. mi Mass: 5.5% Earth
Temperature: 840 (day) / -300°F(night)
Atmosphere: None
Revolution: 88 Earth days
Moons: 0

6. Revolution Compared to Earth

7. Properties of Venus Distance From Sun: 67 mill. mi. Mass: 81.5% Earth
Temperature: 870°F
Atmosphere: DENSE, Hot, Storms
Revolution: 225 Earth days
Moons: None

8. Revolution Compared to Earth

9. Properties of Earth Distance from Sun: 93 mil. mi Mass: 1 Earth
Average Temp: 57°F
Revolution: days
Atmosphere: Holds heat, blocks meteors, filters harmful radiation.
Moon: 1

10. Properties of Mars Distance from Sun: 230 mill. mi.
Mass: 1/15th of Earth
Avg Temp.: -81°F
Revolution: 687 Earth days
Atmosphere: Thin, mostly CO2
Moons: 2

11. Revolution Compared to Earth

12. Properties of Jupiter Distance from Sun: 5.2 AU Mass: 317.8 Earths
Surface Temperature: -162°F
Revolution: 4,380 days
Atmosphere: Hydrogen/Helium Gas
Moons: 67 Moons

13. Revolution Compared to Earth

14. Properties of Saturn Distance from Sun: 9 AU Mass: 95 Earths
Temperature: -218 °F
Revolution: 10,585 days
Atmosphere:
Moons: 62 Moons

15. Revolution Compared to Earth

16. PROPERTIES OF URANUS Distance from Sun: 20 AU Mass: 14.5 Earths
Temperature: -323 °F
Revolution: 30,660 days
Atmosphere: Hydrogen/Helium Gas
Moons: 27 Moons

17. Revolution Compared to Earth

18. Properties of Neptune Distance from Sun: 30.1 AU Mass: 17 Earths
Temperature: -330 °F
Revolution: 60,225 days
Atmosphere: Hydrogen/Helium Gas
Moons: 13 Moons

19. Revolution Compared to Earth

20. Small Bodies in the Solar System
Moons: A small body that revolves around a planet.
Asteroids: Small rocky or metallic body that orbits the Sun.
Comets: A small body of ice, dust and rock.
Dwarf Planets:
Orbits the Sun
Planet’s gravity forms a spherical body.
Does NOT clear objects out of its orbit.

21. Revisiting the Bell Ringer
Review the diagram of the Solar System.
Based on this diagram, which statement can be concluded?
A day on Earth is longer than a day on Mercury.
A year on Venus is longer than a year on Saturn.
The average temperature on Mars is colder than the average temperature on Venus.*
The average temperature on Jupiter is hotter than the average temperature on Earth.

22. YOU DO Time!

23. YOU DO QUESTION #1
If you were to observe the Moon through a telescope, you would see many dark impact craters from meteoroids. The Moon is relatively close to the Earth and is also in the path of these meteoroids. Why is the Earth’s surface not covered by the same impact craters?
The Earth has a thick atmosphere that provides a barrier.
The Moon’s gravity is greater than the Earth’s gravity.
The Moon’s atmosphere is made of carbon dioxide, unlike ours.
The Earth has an electromagnetic field to protect it from rocks.
Correct Answer: A

24. YOU DO QUESTION #2
The planets in our Solar System share some similarities, but their differences often outnumber the similarities. For example, one day on Neptune is only about 16.1 hours, and while Earth and Neptune both have natural satellites, Earth has only one moon, while Neptune has 13. Which of the following is also an accurate comparison of Earth and Neptune?
Neptune has a more solid surface than Earth.
Earth has a shorter period of revolution than Neptune.
Neptune has a longer period of rotation than Earth.
Earth has a lower average temperature than Neptune.
Correct Answer: B

25. YOU DO QUESTION #3
Teresa is studying the Solar System. She learns that Jupiter has 18 named moons as well as many small unnamed ones, and that Earth has just one moon. Which of the following best explains why Jupiter has so many more moons than Earth?
Jupiter is much farther away from the Sun than Earth, so it attracts more moons.
Jupiter has a much greater mass, and therefore a greater gravitational pull, than Earth.
Jupiter has a thicker, denser atmosphere than Earth, and it condenses rock particles to form moons.
Jupiter is so much colder than Earth that clumps of ice form moons in its upper atmosphere more readily.
Correct Answer: B

26. CLOSING (Exit Ticket)
What patterns can be seen when looking at the properties of bodies in our Solar System?