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Planets. Comparative Planetology Astronomy Physics Geology Chemistry Meteorology Biology. What is in the Solar System?. The Sun and some stuff “some stuff” = Jupiter and other stuff “other stuff” = Saturn and more stuff “more stuff” = Uranus, Neptune, and who cares?
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Planets Comparative Planetology Astronomy Physics Geology Chemistry Meteorology Biology
What is in the Solar System? The Sun and some stuff “some stuff” = Jupiter and other stuff “other stuff” = Saturn and more stuff “more stuff” = Uranus, Neptune, and who cares? “who cares” = Earth, and the other planets and all of that debris. 99.8 % 0.1% 0.03% 0.01% 0.001%
Terms Planet – Defined by the IAU in 2006 • Orbits the Sun • Spherical-ish in shape • Dominant object (cleared out its neighborhood) Satellite – “small” object that orbits a planet, or other object, a.k.a. “moon” Asteroid – “small” rocky/metallic/icy object Comet – “small” icy/rocky object
MErcurySurface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging (MESSENGER) Spacecraft • Chemical composition • Surface • “Atmosphere” • Geologic History • 40% smooth plains • More recent lava flows? • New impact features • March 18, 2011 - Insertion
Nasty girl….. • Earth’s Mass, Radius, Density • Atmosphere • CO2 rich • HOT (740 K) • Thick (90x) • Sulfuric acid clouds • Surface • Volcanic structures • Plains • Plateaus (Continents)
Why astronomy is so frustrating! • Oceans in the past? • Current volcanism? • Possible View
LCROSSLunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite October 9, 2009 • Impact by Centaur • Impact by LCROSS Results? WATER! (100 kg?)
Hydroxyl - water • Back to Moon?
The Red Planet • Earth like features • Volcanoes • Water flow features • Ice caps • Permafrost • Dust storms • Non-Earth like features • CO2 rich atmosphere • Thin • Cool
Busy, busy, busy • Current • Mars 2001 Odyssey • Mars Express • Spirit & Opportunity • Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter • Recent • Phoenix Lander • Pathfinder/Sojourner
Mars Discovery • A cave! • Found by 7th graders • Part of the Mars Student Imaging Project http://msip.asu.edu/