Solar System Grade 5 Science: The solar system includes the sun and all celestial bodies that orbit the sun. Each planet in the solar system has unique characteristics.

What is the solar system?

Our Solar System includes: the Sun, 8 planets, asteroids, comets, meteoroids other objects orbiting the sun

How big is the solar system? If the Sun was the size of a , the Earth would be the size of a ….. peppercorn!!

How big is the solar system? Video about size comparison How far does the solar system extend? Make Pocket Solar System

Planets In order from closest to farthest from the sun: (Mnemonic) Mercury My Venus Very Earth Eager Mars Mother Jupiter Just Saturn Served Uranus Us Neptune Nachos

A Closer Look at Space Watch first part of video

Known as “Terrestrial Planets” include: Inner Planets Known as “Terrestrial Planets” include: Mercury Venus Earth Mars

Known as “Jovian Planets” include: Outer Planets Known as “Jovian Planets” include: Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune

Compare and Contrast Inner & Outer Planets Inner Outer

Compare and Contrast Inner & Outer Planets Inner Outer Smaller, few to no moons, made of rock, more dense, thin atmosphere, closer to the sun - warmer, no rings Larger, many moons, made of gases, “Gas Giants”, less dense, thick atmosphere, further from the sun - cooler, rings of dust and ice

Compare and Contrast Inner & Outer Planets Inner Outer Smaller, few to no moons, made of rock, more dense, thin atmosphere, closer to the sun - warmer, no rings Planets in our Solar System, Rotate on an axis, Revolve around the sun Larger, many moons, made of gases, “Gas Giants”, less dense, thick atmosphere, further from the sun - cooler, rings of dust and ice

Planets INB

Mercury Smallest planet – about the size of our moon Has a cratered surface Extreme hot to cold temperatures

Venus Hottest planet Atmosphere has sulfuric acid Similar size as Earth, “Earth’s Sister Planet” Rotates clockwise (most other planets rotate counterclockwise)

Earth 70% of surface is covered in water Only planet that supports life Oxygen in its atmosphere Axis tilted 23.5°

Mars Known as the Red Planet, because of rusty iron in the soil Axis is tilted – so it has seasons Largest volcano in solar system, Olympus Mons

Jupiter Largest planet Over a hundred year storm called Great Red Spot

Saturn Known for its rings of ice and rock Least dense planet – could float in water!

Uranus Rotates clockwise Rotates on its side Looks blue because of the methane in its atmosphere

Neptune Blue in color from atmosphere (darker than Uranus) Coldest planet - very windy, cold, dark