Our Solar System

1. Our Solar System • Composed of 8 planets, their moons, various comets, asteroids & other objects that revolve around a star • A planet is a large space object that moves in a curved path around a star. • The solar system contains large clouds of dust and gas. The study of the universe or outer space is called Astronomy.

2. Inner Planets – Mercury, Venus, Earth & Mars • Closest to the Sun • Terrestrial – hard, rocky surfaces • small http://youtu.be/YFsB8KKlP4I 8 min Outer Planets – Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus & Neptune • Farthest from the Sun • Ice and Gas Giants • All have rings and many moons http://youtu.be/43SHCRv4wdw 8 min

3. Moons • A moon is a natural object that revolves around a planet. • Satellite • Mercury & Venus have no moons. • Most moons are made of solid material. Miranda – one of Uranus’s Io – one of Jupiter’s Callisto – one of Jupiter’s

4. Asteroids • Large pieces of space rock with irregular shapes • ??Left over material from the formation of the solar system • Most are found in the asteroid belt between Mars & Jupiter. • They can collide with objects creating huge craters. http://youtu.be/MO2LFSifklE 2 min Vesta – large asteroid

5. Comets • Space bodies made up of ice, dust and small, gritty particles (dirty snowballs) • The ice turns to gas, producing a streak called the tail. • The comet’s tail always points away from the Sun. • Most comets come from the Oort cloud, which is located at the outer edge of our solar system. http://youtu.be/4nH_mAObnZc 2 min. Halley’s Comet

6. Meteoroids • In space – meteoroids – with the asteroids • In our atmosphere – meteors – burning up • On the land – meteorites – all right • Pieces of rock or dust that are smaller than asteroids • When entering the Earth’s atmosphere, they usually burn up & produce streaks of light – meteors – shooting stars. • Those that land on the Earth’s surface are called meteorites.

7. Rotation • The movement of a space object turning on its axis. Period of rotation – the amount of time it takes for an object to rotate once

8. Revolution • The movement of a body in space around another body • Orbit – the path of a body in space revolving around another body

9. Mercury • Inner planet • Closest to the Sun • Terrestrial – solid & rocky • Smallest planet • Slow rotation • Fast revolution • No water • Thin atmosphere • No moons God of Speed 1

10. 2 Venus Goddess of Love • Inner planet • Terrestrial • Hottest planet • Earth’s twin (about the same size) • No moon • Thick atmosphere (CO²) traps the heat from the Sun

11. Goddess of Earth – Terra Mater Earth • Inner planet • Terrestrial • 3rd rock from the Sun • Only planet that supports life • 75% covered with water 3

12. 4 Mars God of War • Inner planet • Terrestrial • Thin atmosphere • “Red Planet” – due to the red soil & rocks (iron oxide) • Largest volcano in the solar system – Olympus Mons • 2 moons – Phobos & Deimos • Most studied planet (besides Earth) in the solar system

13. Asteroid Belt • Foundbetween the orbits of Mars and Jupiter

14. God of Sky & Thunder 5 Jupiter • Outer planet – Gas Giants • Largest planet • Mostly hydrogen & helium • Does not have solid surface • Rotates very fast • Thin set of rings • 66 moons • Large red spot – huge storm

15. Outer planet – gas giant • 2nd largest planet • Largest system of rings • 62 moons – Titan (largest) • Jewel of the Solar System 6 Saturn Roman God for Farming

16. Uranus • Outer planet – Gas Giant • Very cold • Tipped over on its side • Has rings and many moons • Retrograde rotation 7 God of the Sky

17. Neptune God of the water and sea • Outer planet – Gas Giant • Most distant from the Sun • 165 years for one revolution around the Sun • Has rings and many moons • Triton, largest moon, revolves backward/retrograde 8

18. Pluto • Dwarf planet • Half the size of Mercury • Made of ice and rock • Thin atmosphere • 4 moons God of the Underworld