1. Planets Comparative Planetology Astronomy Physics Geology Chemistry Meteorology Biology

2. What is in the Solar System? The Sun and some stuff “some stuff” = Jupiter and other stuff “other stuff” = Saturn and more stuff “more stuff” = Uranus, Neptune, and who cares? “who cares” = Earth, and the other planets and all of that debris. 99.8 % 0.1% 0.03% 0.01% 0.001%

6. Terms Planet – Defined by the IAU in 2006 1.Orbits the Sun 2.Spherical-ish in shape 3.Dominant object (cleared out its neighborhood) Satellite – “small” object that orbits a planet, or other object, a.k.a. “moon” Asteroid – “small” rocky/metallic/icy object Comet – “small” icy/rocky object

7. Mercury C

8. MESSENGER MESSENGER 2004 -

11. Flyover

12. MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging (MESSENGER) Spacecraft Chemical composition –Surface –“Atmosphere” Geologic History –40% smooth plains –More recent lava flows? –New impact features March 18, 2011 - Insertion

13. Venus D

14. Nasty girl….. Earth’s Mass, Radius, Density Atmosphere –CO 2 rich –HOT (740 K) –Thick (90x) –Sulfuric acid clouds Surface –Volcanic structures –Plains –Plateaus (Continents)

15. Venus Express 2005 -

17. Why astronomy is so frustrating! Oceans in the past? Current volcanism? Possible View

18. Earth 

19. The Moon B

20. Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) June 2009 -

21. LCROSS Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite October 9, 2009 –Impact by Centaur –Impact by LCROSS Results? WATER! (100 kg?)

22. Hydroxyl - water Back to Moon?

23. Mars E

24. The Red Planet Earth like features –Volcanoes –Water flow features –Ice caps –Permafrost –Dust storms Non-Earth like features –CO 2 rich atmosphere –Thin –Cool

25. Busy, busy, busy Current –Mars 2001 Odyssey –Mars Express –Spirit & Opportunity –Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Recent –Phoenix Lander –Pathfinder/Sojourner

34. Mars Discovery A cave! Found by 7 th graders Part of the Mars Student Imaging Project http://msip.asu.edu/