Format for Planet PowerPoint: Planet Name Astronomy Meteorology Geology History

Zero tilt and Zero moons Rotation = 59 Earth days Revolution = 88 Earth days Astronomy Mercury

Meteorology 427 Celsius -173 Celsius no atmosphere

Geology Mercury is the most moon-like planet. It’s covered with craters and associated features (Rays and halos).

A B Geology Faulting from contraction of the planets surface

Core = 60% mass Crust = 40% mass Geology A large impact early in the planet’s history may have torn away a fraction of the mantle and crust.

History Only two space probes have visited Mercury, Mariner 10, 1973 and Messenger 2008 Mercury

Venus

Astronomy Zero moons and almost zero tilt Rotation = 243 Earth days Revolution = 225 Earth days Sun rises in the West!

Meteorology Atmosphere: Thick layer of carbon dioxide which causes a runaway greenhouse effect. Thick clouds of sulfuric acid surround Venus and block the view of the surface.

Geology Continents, great mountain ranges and active volcanoes Convection currents but not full scale plate movement

Addams Impact Crater Volcanic craters are usually smaller, deeper and at the top of a mountain. Geology

Danilova Crater Geology

Interior thought to be similar to Earth’s Inferred from gravity and magnetic fields

History Over 30 space probes have been sent to Venus by NASA and the ESA.

Venera 13, 1982 First Color View of Venusian Surface History

List four similarities and four differences between Mars and Venus.

Earth

-Average in size -The least number of impact craters -Continents -Plate tectonics -Origin similar to Venus -Ozone layer & many other unique characteristics

Mars

Astronomy Rotation = 24.5 hours Revolution = 687 days 24 degree tilt and two small moons

Astronomy Phobos (Fear) Deimos (Panic)

Meteorology -Thin Carbon dioxide atmosphere that is 1/10 that of Earth -Seasons because of the planet’s tilt -CO2 snow in winter that causes ice caps to grow -Major dust storms in summer that blanket the planet

Geology Olympus Mons

3X taller than Mt. Everest and as wide as the state of Montana Geology

Dendritic Stream Pattern

A B Streamlined Islands Geology

Channel caused by rapid permafrost melt Geology

The Face of Mars

Viking MGSMGS color inverted Geology

Discovered 1984 in Antarctica

Geology NASA research published Aug. 16 th 1996 Microscopic Tubular Structure

Geology Fossils?

History Mars Pathfinder Landed July 4 th, 1997 Weather, atmosphere and chemistry of rocks was analyzed

History

Over 40 space probes have been sent to Mars The newest arrival is MSL (Curiosity) 2012 History

Jupiter

Astronomy Largest Planet 1 Revolution = 12 years Fastest Rotation

Meteorology Bright zones are high pressure systems of warm gas rising. Dark belts are low pressure systems of cool gas sinking. Circular areas are counterclockwise storm systems.

Outer Layer mainly hydrogen At greater depths the hydrogen becomes a metallic liquid which generates an intense magnetic field The center is a rocky core 10 times the size of Earth Meteorology

Geology Might be fragments from meteor impacts

Moons of Jupiter Io Europa Ganymede Callisto

Io Tidal forces create nonstop volcanic activity Orange color caused by frozen sulfur compounds Moons of Jupiter

Volcanic plume on Io Moons of Jupiter

Europa Cracked eggshell surface The ice surface continuously reforms and covers meteor impacts Moons of Jupiter

Scientists speculate that ice may be several kilometers thick and there may be a 100 km deep ocean below it. Moons of Jupiter

Europa Past and Future Moons of Jupiter

History Galileo Galileo was launched 1989.

Saturn

Astronomy Lowest Density Most oblate100 lbs on Earth = 107 lbs on Saturn

Meteorology Banded Appearance Up to 1800 km per hour wind speeds Less storm activity

Geology Most easily visible ring system of all the gas giants Rings will gradually fall into planet Rings made of water ice

Geology

Moon of Saturn Titan Discovered in 1655 by Christiaan Huygens

Huygens Probe landed January First probe to land on a Moon in the outer Solar System Moon of Saturn

The landing site appears to be shoreline with dendritic stream channels. The probe lasted approximately 90 minutes.

Ring History for Saturn In 1610 Galileo thought he was looking at one planet with two large moons. In 1655 the idea was proposed that Saturn was surrounded by a large solid ring. In 1979 Pioneer 11 became the first spacecraft to fly past Saturn and take pictures of the planet and rings.