1. The Inner Planets
Mercury
Venus
Earth
Mars

2. General Characteristics
Small
Dense
Have a rocky surface
Few or no moons
Lack rings
Referred to as terrestrial planets

3. Mercury Composition Rocky Distance from Sun (AU) 0.4AU Appearance
Moons
Rings
- none
Motion of Rotation
Counterclockwise rotation Earth days to rotate

4. Mercury Smallest terrestrial planet Closest Planet to the sun
Has virtually no atmosphere
Temperature ranges from –170oC to 430oC

5. Venus Composition Rocky Distance from Sun (AU) 0.723AU Appearance
Moons
Rings
- none
Motion of Rotation
Clockwise rotation Earth days to rotate

6. Venus Second planet from sun
Very thick atmosphere composed mainly of CO2
Results in greenhouse effect and very high temperatures…average temperature = 460oC
Surface has many volcanoes and broad plains from lava flows

7. Earth Composition Rocky Distance from Sun (AU) 1.0AU Appearance
Moons
Rings
- one
- none
Motion of Rotation
Counterclockwise rotation Earth hours to rotate

8. Earth Third planet from sun
Composed of 3 main layer – core (inner & outer), mantle, crust
Liquid water at surface
70% of Earth covered by water
Atmosphere rich in O2, but made mostly of N

9. Mars Composition Rocky Distance from Sun (AU) 1.52AU Appearance
Moons
Rings
- two
- none
Motion of Rotation
Counterclockwise rotation Earth hours to rotate

10. Mars Fourth planet from sun Reddish in color from iron in rocks
Atmosphere 95% CO2, but thinner than Venus
No liquid on surface at present, but evidence of liquid in the past
Polar ice caps
Large volcanoes on surface, not currently active

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