1. The Solar System

2. Objectives 1.Describe how the solar system formed. 2.Summarize the main characteristics of each of the 8 planets as well as other objects in our solar system. 3.Explain the laws that govern the motion of the planets (Kepler’s Laws).

3. Formation of the Solar System 4.6 billion years ago, the same nebula that formed the sun also lead to the formation of the planets. This material is what’s left over after an ancient star went supernova.

4. Formation of the Solar System Gravity pulled this nebular material together into a rotating flat disc. Debris collects into ‘planetesimal’ bodies.

5. Kepler Space Telescope Launched in March 2009, the Kepler Space Telescope is searching for planets in orbit of other stars. Thanks to Kepler scientists, we now have direct evidence of many extra-solar planets. Launch video

6. Our Solar System

7. The Sun

8. Facts about the Sun Almost 1 million miles in diameter Temperature: Surface = 5500 C Core = 15.7 million C Rotates every 25 hrs. Mostly hydrogen (73.5%) and helium (24.9%)

9. Mercury

10. Facts about Mercury 4878 km in diameter Temperature: Surface = 175 C 1 day = 58.7 Earth days 1 year = 88.96 days No moons, no rings

11. Venus

12. Facts about Venus 12,104 km in diameter Temperature: Surface = 450 C 1 day = 243 Earth days 1 year = 224.7 days No moons, no rings

13. Earth

14. Facts about Earth 12,756 km in diameter Temperature: Surface = 15 C 1 day = 24 hours 1 year = 365.25 days 1 moon, no rings

15. Mars Video of Mars

16. Facts about Mars 6787 km in diameter Temperature: Surface = -40 C 1 day = 24.6 hours 1 year = 687 days 2 moons (Phobos & Deimos), no rings

17. More Mars Photos Phobos Deimos Landing of rover ‘Opportunity’

18. Water on Mars? Life on Mars?

19. Jupiter

20. Facts about Jupiter 142,796 km in diameter Temperature: Cloud top = -150 C 1 day = 9.8 hours 1 year = 11.86 Earth years 63 moons, 1 faint ring Jupiter and Comets

21. Saturn

22. Facts about Saturn 120,660 km in diameter Temperature: Surface = -185 C 1 day = 10.2 hours 1 year = 29.46 years 61 moons, >30 rings Saturn and the Earth

23. More about Saturn Currently, the Cassini-Huygens mission is investigating the Saturn system. Jan. 2005, Huygens landed on Titan. Cassini Landing on Titan

24. Uranus

25. Facts about Uranus 51,118 km in diameter Temperature: Surface = -214 C 1 day = 17.9 hours 1 year = 84.1 years 27 moons, 13 rings Uranus Video

26. Neptune

27. Facts about Neptune 48,600 km in diameter Temperature: Surface = -225 C 1 day = 19.1 hours 1 year = 164.8 years 13 moons, 5 rings Neptune Video

28. Why isn’t Pluto a planet?? Pluto Video

29. Other Objects in our Solar System Asteroids- small rocky body orbiting the sun. Comets- icy body, orbiting the sun (has a visible tail). Dwarf Planets- small ‘planet-like’ objects orbiting the sun. Meteoroid- tiny rocky object in space Meteor- a meteoroid that has entered the atmosphere Meteorite- a meteor that has hit the ground

30. Solar System Summarized NASA Images Set to Music