The terrestrial planets

1. The terrestrial planets

2. What is terrestrial planet? • The four inner planets are considered terrestrial planets • Terrestrial means made of rock • Inner planets have a rocky composition compared to the outer planets

3. Mercury • Closest planet to the sun • 0.39 AU from sun • 0 moons • 1 rotation is 59 Earth days • Mariner visited in 1975, Messenger 2011 • Temperatures on its surface can reach as high as 467 degress C and as low -183 degrees C

5. Venus • 2nd planet from the sun • 0.72 AU from sun • 0 moons • 1 rotation is 243 Earth days • Over 40 missions to Venus, Magellan in 1990s • Spins backwards, rises in the west, sets in the east • Atmosphere of mostly carbon dioxide, causes acidic rain

7. Earth • 3rd planet from sun • 1 AU from sun • 1 moon • Only planet known to have life

9. Mars • 4th planet from the sun • 1.52 AU from sun • 2 moons, Phobos and Deimos • 1 rotation is a little over 24 hours • Iron minerals on the surface rust giving Mars its red color • Many missions to Mars, last one was the Curiosity

11. Calculate your age

12. Calculate your weight