The Outer Planets

1. The Outer Planets Astronomy 1

2. Weekly Quiz In place of a quiz this week, you must be able to identify each inner planet and give several facts for each. So pay attention!!!!

3. The Outer Planets • The outer planets are huge in comparison to the inner planets • Of the outer planets Jupiter is the largest (the largest of all planets for that matter!) • If Earth was the size of an average student – Jupiter would be a six-story building • The outer planets include Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune • All are comprised of gases

4. The Outer Planets • Because the planets are so large they have an enormous amount of gravitational pull – this does not allow the gases to escape into space • Scientist believe that the gas planets have a dense solid core, but there is no way to be sure because they are buried deep in the planet

5. The Outer Planets • They are much colder than the inner planets because they are so far away from the sun • They resemble a mini solar system because of the immense gravitational pull • They are all surrounded by rings (but Saturn is known for its rings)

6. Jupiter • 5th planet from the sun • Largest planet in the solar system • The gases that surround Jupiter are mostly hydrogen and helium • Jupiter has a famous Giant Red Spot – it appears to be a storm similar to a hurricane; however, the Earth could fit inside the storm about 3 times!

7. Jupiter • Jupiter has many moons; the largest four are named • Io • Europa • Ganymede • Callisto • Io has many volcanoes causing the surface to constantly change • Europa appears to have an icy crust with flowing water below the surface – what could that mean? • Ganymede is the largest moon and also has an icy crust • Callisto is also icy

8. Jupiter • One day is less than 10 hours – this rapid rotation causes the “bands” • Takes about 12 years to revolve around the sun

9. Saturn • 6th planet from the sun • 2nd largest planet in the solar system • Known for its beautiful rings • The rings are made of ice chunks and rocks • There only appears to be one large ring, but there are actually hundreds

10. Saturn • There are many moons around Saturn, 5 are named • Titan • Tethys • Iapetus • Dione • Rhea

11. Saturn • One day is approximately 11 hours • Takes about 30 years to revolve around the sun • Very low density • Atmosphere is mostly hydrogen and helium

12. Uranus • 7th planet from the sun • Has a bluish look because of the methane in the atmosphere • Uranus rotates on a horizontal axis as oppose to a vertical axis like every other planet in the solar system • Uranus also has moons one with flowing lava on the surface, but most are icy and cratered

13. Uranus • 3rd largest planet in the solar system • One day is approximately 18 hours • Takes about 84 years to revolve around the sun

14. Uranus • Has a solid core surround by a mantel of liquid water with dissolved ammonia (similar to window cleaner) • Also has rings, but not as visible as Saturn

15. Neptune • 8th planet from the sun • Contains visible clouds similar to cirrus clouds on Earth • Neptune was not discovered, but predicted by astronomers – it could not been seen at the time, but its orbit was predicted and in 1846 was first seen • It contains a giant dark spot similar to the storm on Jupiter • Neptune also has many moons – the largest is named Triton

16. Neptune • One day is approximately 14 hours • Takes approximately 165 years to revolve around the sun • Very similar in size and composition as Uranus