1. The Planets in our Solar System

2. Our Solar System Is composed of a central star and 8 orbiting planets. Is composed of a central star and 8 orbiting planets.

3. Planets Definition: a celestial object that orbits one or more stars and is capable of forming a sphere shape under it’s own gravity. Definition: a celestial object that orbits one or more stars and is capable of forming a sphere shape under it’s own gravity. A planet must be the largest object that crosses it’s orbit. A planet must be the largest object that crosses it’s orbit. This is why Pluto is no longer considered a planet. This is why Pluto is no longer considered a planet.

4. Pluto’s orbit

5. Types of Planets In our system there are: In our system there are: Terrestrial planets – made of solid matter Terrestrial planets – made of solid matter Gas giants – made of swirling gases. Very big Gas giants – made of swirling gases. Very big

6. Mercury Named after the Roman god of speed an delivery. Named after the Roman god of speed an delivery.

7. Mercury Smallest planet Smallest planet Closest to the sun Closest to the sun No atmosphere (no protection from suns rays or meteors) No atmosphere (no protection from suns rays or meteors) Temp varies greatly. At night -180C, at day, up to 400C Temp varies greatly. At night -180C, at day, up to 400C Period of rotation: 60 earth days. Period of rotation: 60 earth days. Revolution: 0.2 earth years. Revolution: 0.2 earth years.

8. Venus Named after the Roman goddess of beauty Named after the Roman goddess of beauty

9. Venus Similar in size to earth (sister planet) Similar in size to earth (sister planet) First “star” to appear at night. First “star” to appear at night. Very thick atmosphere. Permanent cloud cover. Very thick atmosphere. Permanent cloud cover. Planet is bombarded with sulfuric acid rain and exploding volcanoes. Planet is bombarded with sulfuric acid rain and exploding volcanoes. Surface temp above 450C Surface temp above 450C

10. Venus Period of rotation: 240 earth days. Period of rotation: 240 earth days. Revolution: 0.6 earth years. Revolution: 0.6 earth years.

11. Earth

12. Earth Only planet capable of maintaining life. Only planet capable of maintaining life. Distance from sun is perfect to allow water to exist in all 3 states. Distance from sun is perfect to allow water to exist in all 3 states. Atmosphere protects planet from UV rays. Atmosphere protects planet from UV rays. The magnetic field, created by the iron core, protects it from other radiation. The magnetic field, created by the iron core, protects it from other radiation.

13. Mars Named after the Roman god of war Named after the Roman god of war

14. Mars Carbon dioxide atmosphere Carbon dioxide atmosphere Temperatures below 0 (there are icecaps) Temperatures below 0 (there are icecaps) Has 2 tiny moons – Phobos and Deimos Has 2 tiny moons – Phobos and Deimos Most explored planet other than earth Most explored planet other than earth Rotational Period: 1.03 earth days Rotational Period: 1.03 earth days Revolution: 1.7 earth years Revolution: 1.7 earth years

15. Jupiter Named after the Roman King of the gods Named after the Roman King of the gods

16. Jupiter Largest planet in our system Largest planet in our system Contains more mass than every other planet combined. Contains more mass than every other planet combined. Mostly H and He swirling at high speeds. Mostly H and He swirling at high speeds. Giant red spot is a massive hurricane. Giant red spot is a massive hurricane. Has 3 thin rings and over 60 moons Has 3 thin rings and over 60 moons

17. Jupiter Rotational period: 0.41 days Rotational period: 0.41 days Revolution: 12 earth years Revolution: 12 earth years

18. Saturn Named after the Roman god of agriculture and strength. Named after the Roman god of agriculture and strength.

19. Saturn Second largest planet Second largest planet Characterized by thousands of giant rings made of ice and dust. Characterized by thousands of giant rings made of ice and dust. Composed of H and He Composed of H and He Wind speeds can reach 1800km/h Wind speeds can reach 1800km/h Has over 60 moons Has over 60 moons

20. Saturn Rotation: 0.45 earth days Rotation: 0.45 earth days Revolution: 30 earth years Revolution: 30 earth years

21. Uranus Named after the ancient Greek deity of the sky. Named after the ancient Greek deity of the sky.

22. Uranus Blue green gas giant composed H, He and Methane Blue green gas giant composed H, He and Methane Axis of rotation is tilted toward it’s orbit. It appears to “roll” along it’s path around the sun. Axis of rotation is tilted toward it’s orbit. It appears to “roll” along it’s path around the sun. Has a large vertical ring system and 17 moons. Has a large vertical ring system and 17 moons.

23. Uranus Rotation: 0.72 earth days Rotation: 0.72 earth days Revolution: 84 earth years Revolution: 84 earth years

24. Neptune Named after the Roman god of the sea. Named after the Roman god of the sea.

25. Neptune The last planet in our solar system. The last planet in our solar system. Composed of H, He, and Methane, but is a darker blue than Uranus. Composed of H, He, and Methane, but is a darker blue than Uranus. Wind speeds can reach 2500km/h Wind speeds can reach 2500km/h Has a faint ring system and 8 moons. Has a faint ring system and 8 moons. Rotation: 0.67 earth days Rotation: 0.67 earth days Revolution: 165 earth years. Revolution: 165 earth years.