The Outer Planets

Discussion questions Compare and contrast the inner and outer planets? Compare and contrast the inner and outer planets? Why have we not visited them? (manned missions to any planet) Why have we not visited them? (manned missions to any planet) Why are the moons of Jupiter and Saturn important to space exploration ? Why are the moons of Jupiter and Saturn important to space exploration ?

Objective 1 Draw a diagram of the solar system and label all the planets as either terrestrial or gas giants. 1 Draw a diagram of the solar system and label all the planets as either terrestrial or gas giants. 2Compare the structure, composition, and atmosphere of the outer planets to include: density, shape, size, and unusual characteristics. 2Compare the structure, composition, and atmosphere of the outer planets to include: density, shape, size, and unusual characteristics. 3 Examine the orbital paths of planets and other astronomical bodies (comets and asteroids). Examine the theories of geocentric and heliocentric models and Kepler’s laws of motion. 3 Examine the orbital paths of planets and other astronomical bodies (comets and asteroids). Examine the theories of geocentric and heliocentric models and Kepler’s laws of motion.

ES 4 The student will investigate and understand the characteristics of the Earth and the solar system. Key concepts include The student will investigate and understand the characteristics of the Earth and the solar system. Key concepts include a.position of the Earth in the solar system a.position of the Earth in the solar system c. characteristics of the Sun, planets and their moons, comets, meteors, and asteroids; and c. characteristics of the Sun, planets and their moons, comets, meteors, and asteroids; and

Enduring Understanding The celestial bodies of our solar system differ as compared to Earth. The celestial bodies of our solar system differ as compared to Earth.

The Outer Planets The next four planets in our tour are known as the gas giants. Their interiors are composed either gaseous or liquid fluids. They are composed of mainly lightweight elements such as hydrogen, helium, carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen and all very cold at their surfaces. They are all very large ranging from 15 to more than 300 times the mass of Earth and 4 to 10 times the diameter The next four planets in our tour are known as the gas giants. Their interiors are composed either gaseous or liquid fluids. They are composed of mainly lightweight elements such as hydrogen, helium, carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen and all very cold at their surfaces. They are all very large ranging from 15 to more than 300 times the mass of Earth and 4 to 10 times the diameter

Jupiter Jupiter Fifth planet and largest from the Sun Fifth planet and largest from the Sun 70% of all planetary matter; 11 times Earth’s diameter 70% of all planetary matter; 11 times Earth’s diameter Albedo of 3.43 (quite bright) Albedo of 3.43 (quite bright) Prominent visible feature is the Great Red Spot; a storm in the atmosphere that has been raging for more than 300 years Prominent visible feature is the Great Red Spot; a storm in the atmosphere that has been raging for more than 300 years

Jupiter’s Atmosphere Comprised of lightweight gasses (89.8% H and 10.2% He) Comprised of lightweight gasses (89.8% H and 10.2% He)

Jupiter’s Atmosphere Liquid metallic Hydrogen exists below the liquid H under intense pressure. Liquid metallic Hydrogen exists below the liquid H under intense pressure.

Jupiter’s Atmosphere Belts are low, warm dark-colored clouds that sink Belts are low, warm dark-colored clouds that sink Zones are high cool, light-colored clouds that rise Zones are high cool, light-colored clouds that rise

Jupiter’s Moons and rings Four largest moons were discovered by Galileo Four largest moons were discovered by Galileo Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto

Jupiter’s Moons and rings Europa is believed to have liquid water Europa is believed to have liquid water

Lake Vostok like Europa?

Jupiter’s Moons and rings Jupiter has at least four known ring systems Jupiter has at least four known ring systems

Saturn Sixth planet from the Sun; second largest Sixth planet from the Sun; second largest Density is lower than that of water (it would float) Density is lower than that of water (it would float)

Saturn’s Atmosphere Similar to Jupiter’s (96.3% H and 3.25% He) Similar to Jupiter’s (96.3% H and 3.25% He) Fluid throughout with a small, solid core Fluid throughout with a small, solid core Also comprised of zones and belts Also comprised of zones and belts

Saturn’s Moons and Rings Saturn’s most striking feature is it’ extensive ring system comprised of pieces of rock and ice that range from microscopic to the size of houses. It is widely believed that the rings were formed from a collision between a moon and asteroid or other object Saturn’s most striking feature is it’ extensive ring system comprised of pieces of rock and ice that range from microscopic to the size of houses. It is widely believed that the rings were formed from a collision between a moon and asteroid or other object

Saturn’s Moons and Rings 7 major ring systems each made of narrower ringlets 7 major ring systems each made of narrower ringlets Rings are very thin, less than 200m wide Rings are very thin, less than 200m wide

Saturn’s Moons and Rings 18 known Satellites; the most notable is Titan with an atmosphere of Nitrogen and Methane 18 known Satellites; the most notable is Titan with an atmosphere of Nitrogen and Methane

Uranus The Seventh Planet from the Sun is 4 times as large and 15 times as massive as Earth it has at least 18 moons and 10 rings The Seventh Planet from the Sun is 4 times as large and 15 times as massive as Earth it has at least 18 moons and 10 rings

Uranus A blue atmosphere is caused by methane gas A blue atmosphere is caused by methane gas 82.5% h, 15.2% He, 2.3% Methane 82.5% h, 15.2% He, 2.3% Methane

Uranus Prominent feature is that it is tipped over*** to the point the north pole is almost in the orbital plane; believed to be caused by a collision with a very large asteroid Prominent feature is that it is tipped over*** to the point the north pole is almost in the orbital plane; believed to be caused by a collision with a very large asteroid

Neptune The eighth planet was predicted before it was actually discovered in 1846 by small deviations in the motion of Uranus The eighth planet was predicted before it was actually discovered in 1846 by small deviations in the motion of Uranus

Neptune Slightly smaller and denser than Uranus; also bluish in color Slightly smaller and denser than Uranus; also bluish in color

Neptune Has belts and zones similar to Jupiter and Saturn Has belts and zones similar to Jupiter and Saturn

Neptune Eight moons largest being Triton that has retrograde orbit and even a thin atmosphere Eight moons largest being Triton that has retrograde orbit and even a thin atmosphere

Neptune Six rings composed of microscopic dust particles Six rings composed of microscopic dust particles

Pluto Discovered in 1930, it has a solid surface but was not classified as terrestrial because of low density and small size. Believed to be half ice and half rock. Pluto is smaller than Earth’s moon. Discovered in 1930, it has a solid surface but was not classified as terrestrial because of low density and small size. Believed to be half ice and half rock. Pluto is smaller than Earth’s moon.

Pluto Atmosphere of Methane and Nitrogen Atmosphere of Methane and Nitrogen

Pluto Irregular orbit 50 AU at Aphelion and 30 AU at Perihelion Irregular orbit 50 AU at Aphelion and 30 AU at Perihelion

Pluto Rotational axis has north pole pointing south of orbital plane Moon Charon is similar in size and in synchronous rotation Rotational axis has north pole pointing south of orbital plane Moon Charon is similar in size and in synchronous rotation Believed to be either an escaped moon of Neptune or a comet Believed to be either an escaped moon of Neptune or a comet