1. The Planets

2. Learning goals
We are learning the differences between the inner and outer planets.
We are learning to identify other objects in our solar system.

3. Planets Recall… planets are celestial objects that orbit around a star
in our solar system there are 8 planets that orbit the Sun

4. Rocky inner planets include Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars
small and rocky
nearest to the Sun
make up the “inner solar system”

5. The asteroid belt
huge band of rocks, past Mars, spread out in vast ring circling Sun
some rocks as large as 1000km across
some as small as grain of sand
just beyond asteroid belt is snow line

6. Gas giants include Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune
comprised of gases and liquids
make up the “outer solar system”

7. to be considered a “planet” a celestial object must:
Want to be a planet?
to be considered a “planet” a celestial object must:
be in orbit around a star
have enough mass to be pulled into a stable sphere shape by gravity
dominate its orbit

8. The minor planets number of very large balls of ice beyond gas giants
Pluto – has own moon: Charon
create a thin disk that forms a ring around entire solar system
about 25 large enough

9. Learning goals
We are learning the differences between the inner and outer planets.
We are learning to identify other objects in our solar system.

10. Please complete
Page 317 questions 2-4