1. The Outer Planets
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune

2. General Characteristics
Large
Much more mass than interior planets
Have thick gaseous exterior with solid core
All have many moons
All have rings
Referred to as gas giants, or Jovian planets
Their rotational period (the length of one day) varies from equator to pole because of their great size & not being perfectly sphere.

3. Asteroid Belt Located between Mars & Jupiter
Separates the inner planets from the outer planets

4. Jupiter Composition Distance from Sun (AU) 5.2 AU Appearance
hydrogen
helium
Distance from Sun (AU)
5.2 AU
Appearance
Moons
Rings
- 63
- faint rings
Motion of Rotation
Counterclockwise & 9 hr. 55 min. to rotate on axis

5. Jupiter Mass is 2.5 times all planets
Semi-permanent features in atmosphere, such as cloud bands and the Great Red Spot
Four largest moons show similarities to the terrestrial planets, such as volcanism and internal heating
3rd brightest object in our sky

6. Saturn Composition Distance from Sun (AU) 9.5 AU Appearance
hydrogen
helium
Distance from Sun (AU)
9.5 AU
Appearance
Moons
Rings
- 56
- visible rings
Motion of Rotation
Counterclockwise & 10 hr. 39 min. to rotate on axis

7. Saturn
two moons, Titan and Enceladus, show signs of geological activity
Titan is larger than Mercury and the only satellite in the solar system with a substantial atmosphere
south pole storm
Saturn eclipsing the sun, as seen from the Cassini orbiter

8. Uranus Composition Distance from Sun (AU) 19.6 AU Appearance
water (ice)
ammonia (gas)
methane (gas)
Distance from Sun (AU)
19.6 AU
Appearance
Moons
Rings
- 27
- faint rings
Motion of Rotation
Clockwise (retrograde) & 17 hr. 14 min. to rotate on axis
as seen by Voyager 2

9. Uranus the lightest in mass of the outer planets
orbits the Sun on its side (98º axial tilt), & has extreme seasons
much colder core than the other gas giants, and radiates very little heat into space

10. Neptune Composition Distance from Sun (AU) 30 AU Appearance
water (ice)
ammonia (gas)
methane (gas)
Distance from Sun (AU)
30 AU
Appearance
Moons
Rings
- 13
- faint rings
Motion of Rotation
Counterclockwise & 16 hr. 6 min. to rotate on axis
Neptune’s rings

11. Neptune
highest winds (2100 kph) in the solar system – violent hurricanes
largest moon, Triton, is geologically active, with geysers of liquid nitrogen
possesses a number of Trojan asteroids (share orbit with Neptune, but will not collide).
great dark spot
Scooter
Wizard’s eye