Adventures in Space

1. Adventures in Space By Erica Blackburn

2. Many people recognize eight major planets—they kick Pluto out--and one sun, in our solar system. These planets revolve around the sun, some faster than others, and some even have moons. Now, get ready to learn some new facts about space! Solar System

3. Inner Planets Mercury • has many impact craters • thin exosphere instead of atmosphere • closest planet to the sun • surface temperatures can reach 800ºF Mars • Olympus Mons is the largest volcano in the solar system • has two moons Venus carbon dioxide and sulfuric clouds of acid droplets form a toxic atmosphere Many volcanoes cover its surface iron core slow, “backward” rotation Earth harbors life nickle-iron core + rapid spin = magnetic field 78% nitrogen +21% oxygen +1% other =atmosphere third planet from the sun fifth largest planet

4. Outer Planets Jupiter • stripes are created by east to west winds in upper atmosphere • The Great Red Spot is actually a gigantor spinning storm • If it was eighty times bigger, we would recognize it as a star. • has four moons Neptune • Magnetic field is leaning by 47º from its axis • The Great Dark Spot is big enough to contain Earth entirely • Pluto • has four moons • possible rings made of ice, dust, rock, gas. Saturn hydrogen and helium make up a huge part of it rings are mostly made of water ice ringlets, “braided” rings and spokes have been found fifty two known moons Uranus first planet to be discovered with a telescope magnetic field is tipped over 60º from its axis Its rotation causes its rings to be vertical to its orbit.

5. Hello! My name is Earth. I have also been called the Big Blue Marble. Twenty-nine percent of my surface is made up of land. On this land, I have seven continents. Said continents are named South America, North America, Europe, Australia, Asia, Antarctica, and Africa. Flowing around these continents is one ocean that has been divided into five parts. These parts are the Pacific, Indian, Atlantic, Artic, and Antarctic (or Southern) Oceans. They are the seventy-one percent of my surface that is water. Have you heard of the Grand Canyon found in Arizona? Well if you have not, listen up! It was formed by the Colorado River, continental drift, and my orbit. It is 1.83 kilometers deep and 446 kilometers long. Just thought you ought to know. You should also know about Mount Everest, if you do not already. It is 8,850 miles (14243-ish kilometers) high and about 4 miles (6-ish kilometers) wide. Earth’s Surface

6. Hiya! My name is Mars, you may have heard of me. Some people call me the Red Planet, due to the rusting iron minerals in my soil. I do not have any continents or oceans, sorry. Though I do have many volcanoes that are dormant (sorry for those who hoped they were active). Speaking of, Olympus Mons is the highest volcano in the solar system, and it’s ALL MINE!!! Well, what I mean is it’s something to be proud of. It is 624 kilometers (374 miles) in diameter, 25 kilometers (16 miles) high, and 80 kilometers (50 miles) wide! Its diameter is close to the size of Arizona. Olympus Mons is 72 kilometers (46 miles) wider, and 14,218 kilometers (8,834 miles) shorter than Earth’sMount Everest. Just food for thought. Mars’ Surface

7. Greetings human. My name is Curiosity. I am a rover currently exploring Mars, and I have made some grand discoveries. I have drilled into two rocks and found chemical elements that suggest an energy source for microscopic organisms in both. Clay minerals was also found within the rocks, which means there was once water upon the planet. On August 6th, 2013 I sang “Happy Birthday”, because it was my birthday. Curiosity

8. Earth andMars: Similarities • have/had water • ice • volcanoes • mountains • valleys • deserts • ice caps • similar length of a day • four distinct seasons

9. Mars versus Earth Mars • CO2=95% of atmosphere • has one-third of Earth’s gravity Earth • CO2=.04 of atmosphere

10. What I Have Learned