The Solar System An Interactive Learning Station

The Planets Currently, there are nine planets which have been discovered. They include: Currently, there are nine planets which have been discovered. They include: Mercury Jupiter Earth Pluto Saturn Neptune Mars Uranus Venus

Mercury Closest to the sun. Closest to the sun. Only visited by one spacecraft: Mariner 10. Only visited by one spacecraft: Mariner 10. Orbits the sun every 88 days. Orbits the sun every 88 days. Temperatures can reach 467 degrees Celsius. Temperatures can reach 467 degrees Celsius. Second smallest planet to Pluto. Second smallest planet to Pluto. Surface resembles the moon because meteorites can not burn up – there is practically no atmosphere. Surface resembles the moon because meteorites can not burn up – there is practically no atmosphere.

Venus Similar to Earth in size, mass and composition Similar to Earth in size, mass and composition Covered with clouds that trap in heat, creating a greenhouse effect. Covered with clouds that trap in heat, creating a greenhouse effect. Rotates once every 243 Earth days and orbits the Sun every 225 days – this makes its day is longer than its year! Rotates once every 243 Earth days and orbits the Sun every 225 days – this makes its day is longer than its year!

Earth Only planet known to have life. Only planet known to have life. Earth has seasons because its axis is tilted 23 degrees. Earth has seasons because its axis is tilted 23 degrees. Oceans cover 70% of Earth’s surface. Oceans cover 70% of Earth’s surface. Has one satellite: the moon. Has one satellite: the moon.

Mars Small, red, rocky planet. Small, red, rocky planet. Has two small moons. Has two small moons. Experiences large dust storms. Experiences large dust storms. Water ice was discovered in 2002 – this discovery will aid scientists in answering the question, “Is there, was there, or will there be life on Mars?” Water ice was discovered in 2002 – this discovery will aid scientists in answering the question, “Is there, was there, or will there be life on Mars?” Has the largest volcano in space. Has the largest volcano in space.

Jupiter Largest planet. Largest planet. Has three rings. Has three rings. Surface is probably gases and liquids. Surface is probably gases and liquids. Our VIP – Galileo – discovered 4 of Jupiter’s moons: Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto. Our VIP – Galileo – discovered 4 of Jupiter’s moons: Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto. Jupiter officially has 52 moons - the most in the solar system. Jupiter officially has 52 moons - the most in the solar system.

Saturn In 1610, Galileo became the first astronomer to see Saturn through a telescope. In 1610, Galileo became the first astronomer to see Saturn through a telescope. Made mostly of hydrogen and helium. Made mostly of hydrogen and helium. The rings of Saturn are made of mostly water ice. The rings of Saturn are made of mostly water ice. Saturn has at least 30 moons. The largest is Titan and is a bit bigger than Mercury. Saturn has at least 30 moons. The largest is Titan and is a bit bigger than Mercury.

Uranus The blue-green color comes from methane gas. The blue-green color comes from methane gas. It takes 84 years for Uranus to complete one revolution around the sun. It takes 84 years for Uranus to complete one revolution around the sun. Seasons in Uranus last about 20 years due to it’s unique horizontal tilt. Seasons in Uranus last about 20 years due to it’s unique horizontal tilt. Uranus has 11 rings and at least 20 moons. Uranus has 11 rings and at least 20 moons.

Neptune Neptune was the first planet to be discovered by using mathematics rather than observations of the sky. Neptune was the first planet to be discovered by using mathematics rather than observations of the sky. Neptune was discovered in Its orbit is 165 years, therefore it has yet made a full circle around the Sun since it was discovered. Neptune was discovered in Its orbit is 165 years, therefore it has yet made a full circle around the Sun since it was discovered. Neptune's largest moon, Triton, gets colder than Pluto. Neptune's largest moon, Triton, gets colder than Pluto.

Pluto Pluto is so far away that is it difficult for scientists to learn about it. The outer fringes of our solar system await close-up observations by a robotic space flight mission. Pluto is so far away that is it difficult for scientists to learn about it. The outer fringes of our solar system await close-up observations by a robotic space flight mission. Pluto is different from the rest of the planets. It may be the largest of a group of icy objects just beyond Neptune called the Kuiper Belt. Pluto is different from the rest of the planets. It may be the largest of a group of icy objects just beyond Neptune called the Kuiper Belt.

Self Check Question One Which planet has frequent dust storms? Which planet has frequent dust storms? Earth UranusMars Pluto

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Self Check Question Two Which planet has seasons that last 20 years? Which planet has seasons that last 20 years? Mercury Jupiter UranusMars

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Self Check Question Three Which planet has the most moons? Which planet has the most moons? JupiterEarth VenusPluto

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Self Check Question Four Which planet was discovered using mathematics rather than observation? Which planet was discovered using mathematics rather than observation? SaturnNeptune VenusPluto

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Self Check Question Five Which Planet’s surface resembles the moon’s? Which Planet’s surface resembles the moon’s? JupiterMercury Neptune Saturn

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References NASA Kids NASA Kids NASA Kids NASA Kids Goodman, Polly. Space & Art Activities. New York: Crabtree Pub, Goodman, Polly. Space & Art Activities. New York: Crabtree Pub, Simon, Seymour. Planets Around the Sun. New York: Seastar Books, Simon, Seymour. Planets Around the Sun. New York: Seastar Books, Nine Planets Nine Planets Nine Planets Nine Planets Exit Learning Station