Planets and the Solar System Mr McCormick 12/3/09

Mercury Venus Earth Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune

Mercury Mercury is the closest planet to the sun. The temperature on Mercury is over 400 o C in the day yet almost -200 o C at night. This is because it has no atmosphere. It is very small – slightly bigger than our moon.

Venus Venus has a very thick atmosphere of carbon dioxide which traps all the heat from the sun. The temperature on Venus is usually about 450 o C, enough to melt lead! Similar in size to earth.

Earth The only planet in the solar system were there is definite life. Has varied seasons and a rich supply of water and oxygen. Home to Humans!

Mars Mars is the 4 th planet from the sun and is sometimes called the “red planet” This is because of the iron oxide in the soil which has a red colour. In the news recently because scientists think that their may be life there!

Jupiter Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system. Is made up mostly of gas. The red spot on Jupiter is a storm that has been going on for over 300 years! Back to the spaceship Jupiter Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system. Is made up mostly of gas. The red spot on Jupiter is a storm that has been going on for over 300 years!

Saturn Saturn is most well known for its beautiful ring system. Quite similar to Jupiter, except smaller. Saturn is very light, in fact if you could find an ocean big enough to hold it then it would float on the water!

Uranus Uranus is unusual, because it spins on its side. This means that the poles are the warmest parts of the planet! Scientists think that long ago a large object collided with Uranus and changed the way it spun.

Neptune Neptune is quite similar to Uranus except it has a blue-ish colour. Scientists do not know that much about Neptune because it is so far away. Perhaps one of you will be the astronaut or the astronomer to find out! Back to the spaceship