Introduction The 4 inner planets are Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars The inner planets are composed mostly of rock, while the outer planets are gas giants. Usually, the inner planets are smaller and denser than the outer planets. They have few or no moons and/or rings around them.

Mercury It is the closest planet to the Sun. comprised mostly of iron and nickel One of the densest planets in the Solar System. Has a very thin atmosphere, causing extreme temperature changes.

Venus It is the hottest planet in the solar system Its atmosphere is composed of greenhouse gases that trap heat and keep its temperature very high. Venus has no moon of its own

Earth It is the largest inner planet Its atmosphere protects the planet from dangerous radiation The Earth has an internal magnetic field, as does Mercury Has only one moon Is comprised of various rocks and minerals

Mars Known as the ‘red planet’ “due to the rust of iron-rich materials that form the planet’s surface” Possibility of water because of thin atmosphere Has two moons, Phobos and Deimos Network of canyons and canals make scientists believe in possibility of life on Mars at some point

Works Cited Alan E. Nourse- Nine Planets: Astronomy for the Space Age planets-NASA-600x340.jpghttp://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/files/2013/06/inner- planets-NASA-600x340.jpg planets/#ixzz2eUcDewREhttp:// planets/#ixzz2eUcDewRE Landscape-Art.jpghttp://sathiyam.tv/english/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Earth- Landscape-Art.jpg