3. The Sun The Sun is a star. The Sun is a star. It is 4,500 million years old It is 4,500 million years old It takes 8 minutes for its light to reach the Earth. It takes 8 minutes for its light to reach the Earth. 98.6% mass of the Solar System 98.6% mass of the Solar System Consists of Hydrogen (74%) and Helium (24%) Consists of Hydrogen (74%) and Helium (24%) Radius: 695,000 km Radius: 695,000 km Mass: 333,000 Earths! Mass: 333,000 Earths! Surface Temperature: 5,500 °C Surface Temperature: 5,500 °C Core Temperature: 15,500,000 °C Core Temperature: 15,500,000 °C

6. Mercury Scans indicate that craters at the poles contain water ice. Scans indicate that craters at the poles contain water ice. Temperatures reach 450°C during the day. At night, the temperature drop to -170°C. Temperatures reach 450°C during the day. At night, the temperature drop to -170°C. Radius: 2400 km Radius: 2400 km Mass: 3.30 x 10 23 kg Mass: 3.30 x 10 23 kg Distance from Sun: 58 million km (0.38 AU) Distance from Sun: 58 million km (0.38 AU)

7. Mercury Earth Size Comparison

8. Venus Surface temperatures are a constant 500°C due to thick atmosphere Surface temperatures are a constant 500°C due to thick atmosphere The atmosphere is 95% Carbon Dioxide The atmosphere is 95% Carbon Dioxide Venus rotates in the opposite direction to other planets in the Solar System. Venus rotates in the opposite direction to other planets in the Solar System. Radius: 6500 km Radius: 6500 km Mass: 4.86 x 10 24 kg Mass: 4.86 x 10 24 kg Distance from Sun: 108 million km (0.72 AU) Distance from Sun: 108 million km (0.72 AU)

9. Thick cloud cover blanketing Venus Mountain ranges on Venus taken with Radar. Note the metallic snow.

10. Earth Radius: 6,400 km Mass: 5.8 x 1024 kg Temperature: -80 to 60 °C Distance from Sun: 146 million km (1 AU) Surface is 70% covered by water. Over 2200 manmade satellites in orbit Over 2200 manmade satellites in orbit

11. Mars Surface temperatures are between 0°C and -100°C Surface temperatures are between 0°C and -100°C Has the highest mountain in the Solar System – the Olympus Mons (24km high and 600km wide at the base) Has the highest mountain in the Solar System – the Olympus Mons (24km high and 600km wide at the base) Radius: 3400 km Radius: 3400 km Mass: 6.4 x 10 23 kg Mass: 6.4 x 10 23 kg Distance from Sun: 228 million km (1.5 AU) Distance from Sun: 228 million km (1.5 AU)

13. Size comparison of the Inner Planet

14. Asteroid Belt Located between Jupiter and Mars Has a dwarf planet, Ceres – 950km in diameter Gravity from Jupiter prevented debris from forming into a planet

15. Ceres – the dwarf planet Gaspro – a 400km-long asteroid

16. Jupiter Made up of 90% hydrogen, 10% helium Made up of 90% hydrogen, 10% helium probably has a core of rocky material of 10 to 15 Earth-masses probably has a core of rocky material of 10 to 15 Earth-masses Great Red Spot – a storm that has been raging for over 300 years. As big as 2 Earths. Great Red Spot – a storm that has been raging for over 300 years. As big as 2 Earths. Has over 63 moons Has over 63 moons Radius: 71000 km Radius: 71000 km Mass: 1.9 x 10 27 kg Mass: 1.9 x 10 27 kg Distance from Sun: 780 million km (5.2 AU) Distance from Sun: 780 million km (5.2 AU)

18. Time-lapse animation from Voyager I on approach to Jupiter.

19. While Hiding Behind The Sun, Jupiter Loses One Of Its Belts

20. Io Io – The most volcanically active object in the Solar System Europa Europa – ice- covered moon that may harbour life

21. Saturn 75% hydrogen, 25% helium with a rocky core and liquid hydrogen mantle. 75% hydrogen, 25% helium with a rocky core and liquid hydrogen mantle. The rings are 250000km in diameter but only 1 km thick. The rings are 250000km in diameter but only 1 km thick. Has 34 named moons Has 34 named moons Radius: 60000 km Radius: 60000 km Mass: 5.7 x 10 26 kg Mass: 5.7 x 10 26 kg Distance from Sun: 1400 million km (9.5 AU) Distance from Sun: 1400 million km (9.5 AU)

22. Saturn’s Rings showing spoke formations Mimas – a small moon of Saturn

23. Uranus Composed mainly of rock and various ices Composed mainly of rock and various ices Has a tilt of 97° so rotates on its side Has a tilt of 97° so rotates on its side has 21 named moons and 6 unnamed has 21 named moons and 6 unnamed Surface temperature of ~50K (-223°C) Surface temperature of ~50K (-223°C) Radius: 25000 km Radius: 25000 km Mass: 8.7 x 10 25 kg Mass: 8.7 x 10 25 kg Distance from Sun: 2900 million km (19.2 AU) Distance from Sun: 2900 million km (19.2 AU)

24. Neptune The existence of Neptune was predicted as it was noticed that Uranus’ orbit did not fit with Newton’s laws - another planet must be influencing Uranus' orbit. The existence of Neptune was predicted as it was noticed that Uranus’ orbit did not fit with Newton’s laws - another planet must be influencing Uranus' orbit. Discovered in 1846 Discovered in 1846 September 2011 marks one orbit since it was discovered. September 2011 marks one orbit since it was discovered. Radius: 25000 km Radius: 25000 km Mass: 1 x 10 26 kg Mass: 1 x 10 26 kg Distance from Sun: 4500 million km (30 AU) Distance from Sun: 4500 million km (30 AU)

25. Neptune showing its horizontal axis and ring formations

26. Clouds high in the atmosphere of Neptune

27. Pluto Downgraded from ‘planet’ to ‘dwarf planet’ in 2006 Downgraded from ‘planet’ to ‘dwarf planet’ in 2006 Smaller than The Moon Smaller than The Moon Has one moon - Charon Has one moon - Charon

29. Kuiper Belt 30 to 55 AU Like the asteroid belt but consisting of debris made of ices

30. Oort Cloud Hypothetical source of comets that stray into our Solar System 50,000 AU from the Sun

31. The Milky Way