` Planets Planets

Definition Of A Planet An object in orbit around a star but does not give off its own light, Rather it shines by reflecting sunlight. Planets close to the sun are rocky (inner planets) Planet farthur away from the sun consist mostly of gases and liquids (outer planets) There are nine major planets

Inner Planets are called inner planets because they orbit close to the sun. These planets are:                                      Mercury Mars Venus Earth

Outer Planets are called outer planets because they orbit far from the sun. These planets are called:              Jupiter Saturn Uranus                                      Neptune Pluto?

Terrestrial vs. Gaseous Planets Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune Gaseous, has more He and H Less dense (Saturn would float) Larger Spaced farther apart Farther from the Sun Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars Rocky More dense Smaller More closely spaced Closer to the Sun NOTES: He = helium; H = hydrogen

Sun - The Sun is a star at the center of our Solar System. Mercury - Mercury is the planet closest to the Sun. Venus - Venus is the second planet from the Sun. It is the hottest planet. Earth - Earth is the third planet from the Sun and the planet we live on. Mars - Mars is a red planet and the fourth planet from the Sun. Jupiter - Jupiter is the fifth planet from the Sun. This gas giant is the largest planet. Saturn - Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun. This gas giant has large, beautiful rings. Uranus - Uranus is a gas giant and is the seventh planet from the Sun. Neptune - Neptune is a gas giant and is usually the eighth planet from the Sun. Pluto - Pluto is a rocky planet that is usually the farthest planet from the Sun. It is the smallest planet.

Explore the Universe and expand your mind Susan Hammond TTl June 2003