Planets

Our Solar System Our solar system includes the sun, smaller objects in space, and planets. http://d1jqu7g1y74ds1.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/236088main_milkyway516.jpg

Two Parts The solar system is divided into two parts – the inner and outer planets. The inner planets are called the terrestrial planets due to their very dense rocky composition. The outer planets are called gas giants due to the fact that they are made mostly of gases and have a deep massive atmosphere.

Interesting Facts About the Planets A year on Mercury is only 88 days long. Venus’s atmosphere contains mostly carbon dioxide which traps thermal energy causing a Greenhouse Effect. Mars is red in color due to the iron oxide. Through the process of oxidation the dark mineral iron has turned red. iImage: http://www.space.com/16999-mars-red-planet.html

J All of the Gas Giants have rings, but Saturn’s are the largest. Jupiter is the largest of the gas giants. Scientists believe Saturn is still forming. Unlike the other planets Uranus is tipped over on its side by 90 degrees. It is believed that a massive object hit Uranus causing this tilt to occur.

The Great Red Spot and the Great Dark Spot The Great Red Spot is a storm on Jupiter that is said to be more than 400 years old. http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/image/planetary/jupiter/redspot.jpg&imgrefurl=http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/photo_gallery/photogallery-jupiter.html&h=848&w=895&sz=70&tbnid=eyGO2nDqW2DfcM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=95&zoom=1&usg=__PRZsmj4j44xRu2O98gkT-vlQBPs=&docid=L9sX_kRW0besxM&sa=X&ei=rRpcUs2aGfK72QXVr4CoCg&ved=0CEwQ9QEwBw

The Great Dark Spot The Great Dark Spot disappeared in 1994, but a new spot formed in a different location. Go to this link to learn more: http://library.thinkquest.org/28327/html/universe/solar_system/planets/neptune/surface/landmarks/spots.html