Solar System Weather
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY/ABSTRACT:
Our research will include an in-depth analysis of the conditions of the nine planets in our
solar system along with our sun. Studying these conditions will help determine the
possible conditions that may lead to the destruction of Earth.
INTRODUCTION:
PURPOSE/PROBLEM:
The purpose of our research is to compare and contrast the conditions of the planets,
along with the sun, in our solar system. These conditions include the atmosphere and the
terrain of these planets. Another question that we will look into is why some planets have
obtained an atmosphere, while others do not. Why is it that some planets have a thicker
atmosphere than others? These answers will be included in our final report.
Much research has been done to acquire knowledge of these planets. Our plan is to
develop a paper that includes all of the planets and the sun. Providing an easy way to
access the information. With our research, we have found much data about the planets
spread out through many sources. Our goal is to combine this information into one
collection of Solar System Weather.
HYPOTHESIS:
Our Hypothesis is that Solar System weather is directly related to distance from the sun.
The sun controls the weather on the planets and ultimately determines its fate. The
conditions on the sun, including sunspots and other weather phenomena also attribute to
the weather on the planets.
PLAN TO ACCOMPLISH:
Our plan is to create individual weather reports for each planet. These reports will include
pictures, along with animations, and data showing typical conditions and phenomena
occurring on each planet both long and short term. The data will include the atmospheres'
chemical compositions and terrain information. Our plan is to determine whether our
hypothesis is correct.
RELEVANCE TO GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE:
Our research relates to global climate change by determining the conditions necessary to
life. Our research will also indicate the conditions on other planets that limit life. We can
relate this information to the change in our planet. The direction that our planet is taking
could be similar to one of the planets in our research. By realizing what conditions inhibit
life, we can help halt possible Earth climate change that will lead to our destruction.
RELATE TO LARGER QUESTION:
Solar System Weather relates to the larger question of the conditions required for life to
exist. When astronomers search for other planets in the universe, they look for conditions
that resemble earth. The comparison of our planets in the solar system helps astronomers
realize the types of conditions possible at certain distances from the sun. Astronomers
also learn the conditions on the other eight planets and determine why there is a
nonexistence of life.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
RESEARCH DESIGN:
Our research design is to outline the planetary conditions of each planet in our solar
system along with the sun. We will include data comparing and contrasting atmospheric
conditions.
MATERIALS TO BE USED:
We plan to use many websites with up-to-date images and data collected from satellites
of the planets in our solar system. We also plan to include journal articles describing any
phenomena, current and past conditions and any other news that relate to planets in our
solar system.
OTHER METHODS:
For our presentation of our findings, we plan on providing an easy to see comparison of
our planets. We hope that we can educate our class in the understanding of the
individuality of each planet's conditions along with the unity that lies within our solar
system.
DATA SHEETS:
Average
Distance
To Sun
(AU)
Average
Distance
Orbital
Diameter Diameter
M
Period
Mass (kg)
(km)
(Earth=1)
(Ear
(yr)
To
Sidereal
Sun(10^6
Period
km)
Mercury
0.39
58
0.24
4878
0.38
3.3x10^23
0
Venus
0.72
108
0.62
12100
0.95
4.9x10^24
0
Earth
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
1
1.52
5.2
9.54
150
228
778
1427
1
1.88
11.86
29.46
12756
6786
142984
120536
1
0.53
11.21
9.45
6.0x10^24
6.4X10^23
1.9x10^27
5.7x10^26
0
31
95
Uranus
19.19
2871
84.01
51118
4.01
8.7x10^25
14
Neptune
Pluto
30.06
39.53
4497
5914
164.79
248.54
49528
2300
3.88
0.18
1.0x10^26
1.3x10^22
17
0.
Mercury
Venus
Earth
Mars
Interior
Surface
Temperature
Atmosphere
Not
Known
whether
liquid or
solid
At least
partially
molten
Heavy
cratering,
scarps
700K by
day, 100K
by night
H, He, K, P,
O; transient
and tenuous
Light
750K
cratering,
mostly
volcanic
plains,
gently
rolling hills,
some
volcanoes
Solid inner Very little
200-315K
core,
cratering,
molten
continents
outer core, and land at
mantle
ocean
floors,
weathering,
volcanoes,
global
tectonic
plates
Probably
Moderate
160-280K
solid core cratering,
Magnetic
Field
0.1 times
Earth’s
Field
Rings
No
Mostly CO2, None
N; 98 times Detected
denser than
Earth’s
No
Mostly N2,
O2
No
Strong,
global
field
Mostly CO2, Weak,
N2; 0.006
local
No
Jupiter
Terrestrial
core,
liquid
metallic
shell,
liquid
hydrogen
mantel
Saturn
Similar to
Jupiter,
with
bigger
terrestrial
core and
less
metallic
Hydrogen
Terrestrial
core,
liquid
water
shell,
liquid
Hydrogen
and
Helium
mantle
Uranus
Neptune
Similar to
Uranus
weathering,
dormant
volcanoes,
huge
canyons
No solid
surface,
atmosphere
gradually
thickens to
liquid state,
belt and
zone
structure,
hurricane
like features
No solid
surface, less
distinct belt
and zone
structure
than Jupiter
times as
dense as
Earth’s
Fields
Primarily H,
He
19,000
times
Earth’s
total field,
14 times
stronger
than
Earth’s
surface
field
Yes
Primarily H,
He
570 times
Earth’s
total field,
2/3 times
Earth’s
surface
field
Yes
No solid
surface,
weak belt
and zone
system,
hurricane
like
features,
color from
methane
absorption
of red,
yellow and
orange
Like
Uranus
Primarily H,
He, some
CH4
50 times
Earth’s
total field,
0.7 times
Earth’s
surface
field
Yes
Primarily H,
He, some
CH4
35 times
Earth’s
total field,
0.4 times
Earth’s
surface
field
Yes
Pluto
Unknown
Apparently
rock and ice
Unknown
Unknown
No
Images from the website: Today From Space: The Sun and the Solar System: LinkToSite
The Sun As It Is Seen From Earth
The Sun As It Is Seen From Space
A Close-up Of The Sun's Atmosphere Showing A Solar Flare
Sunspot Activity Since 1750
Butterfly Diagrams of Daily Sunspot Averages
An Image of Mercury and Venus
An Image of Mars
An Image of Jupiter
An Image of Saturn
An Image of Neptune
CONFUSEDON THE ORDER OF THE PLANETS? TRY HERE:
INNER PLANETS:
http://ecosystems.wcp.muohio.edu/studentresearch/climatechange02/solarsystem/im
ages/orbit_plot_inner.gif
OUTER PLANETS:
http://ecosystems.wcp.muohio.edu/studentresearch/climatechange02/solarsystem/im
ages/orbit_plot_outer.gif
WHAT HAVE OTHERS DONE:
For an overview of each planet, click on the link that sends you to our data folder:
1. The Sun:
http://ecosystems.wcp.muohio.edu/studentresearch/climatecha
nge02/solarsystem/data/Overview/The%20Sun.doc
2. Mercury:
http://ecosystems.wcp.muohio.edu/studentresearch/climate
change02/solarsystem/data/Overview/Mercury.doc
3. Venus:
http://ecosystems.wcp.muohio.edu/studentresearch/climate
change02/solarsystem/data/Overview/Venus.doc
4. Earth:
http://ecosystems.wcp.muohio.edu/studentresearch/climate
change02/solarsystem/data/Overview/Earth.doc
5. Mars:http://ecosystems.wcp.muohio.edu/studentresearch/climatechange02/solarsy
stem/data/Overview/Mars.doc
6. Jupiter:
http://ecosystems.wcp.muohio.edu/studentresearch/climatechange02/solarsystem/
data/Overview/Jupiter.doc
7. Saturn:
http://ecosystems.wcp.muohio.edu/studentresearch/clima
techange02/solarsystem/data/Overview/Saturn.doc
8. Uranus:
http://ecosystems.wcp.muohio.edu/studentresearch/climatec
hange02/solarsystem/data/Overview/Uranus.doc
9. Neptune:
http://ecosystems.wcp.muohio.edu/studentresearch/climatec
hange02/solarsystem/data/Overview/Neptune.doc
10. Pluto:
http://ecosystems.wcp.muohio.edu/studentresearch/climatechange02/solarsystem/
data/Overview/Pluto.doc
RELEVANCE OF RESEARCH QUESTION:
WEBSITES THAT EXPLORE PLANETARY WEATHER:
Hubble Weather: Weather Forecast for the Solar System: LinkToSite
Each day, this site shows a new picture of the planets from the Hubble Telescope.
NASA: Solar System: LinkToSite
This site tells fast facts about each planet and the different explorations that have taken
place.
Today From Space: The Sun and the Solar System: LinkToSite
This site shows images and graphs depicting the conditions of each planet for the day,
provided by NASA. This site gives more detail than the Hubble Weather site listed
above.
Solar System News Zone: LinkToSite
This site lists articles about recent news, findings, discoveries or phenomena that have
been reported about the solar system.
Planets and the Solar System: LinkToSite
This site has numerous images of the planets and links to other sites and discussions.
Space/Astronomy: LinkToSite
This site has an easy format listing general information, a more detailed information link,
images and a link to other sources that provide facts for the planets.
Astronomy Links and Interesting Sites Beyond Planet Earth: LinkToSite
This site, collected by our professor, has an enormous amount of wonderful links ranging
in pictures, information and QuickTime videos.
Space Watch: LinkToSite
This site provides information that would help decipher solar connections for planetary
weather. It also provides news updates on space exploration discoveries.
The Nine Planets: A Multimedia Tour of the Solar System: LinkToSite
This site provides multiple pictures on each planet and its moons. It also provides
detailed data collected during exploration.
JOURNALS THAT EXPLORE PLANETARY WEATHER:
MERCURY:
Forgotten Planet Mercury
This article describes characteristics of Mercury and the latest attempts to expand the
knowledge about the conditions on the planet.
VENUS:
SRI International Makes First Observation of Atomic Oxygen Emission in the Night
Airglow of Venus
This article explains the possible oxygen emission reported from Venus's atmosphere.
X-ray Craft sees Venus in Whole New Light
This article explains the results of the latest results of the x-ray taken of Venus.
VENUS
The second half of this article briefly describes the atmosphere and weather on Venus.
EARTH:
Preserving the Atmosphere as a Global Commons
This article discusses the importance of the Earth's atmosphere and the impenitence to
conserve it.
Goldilocks and the Three Planets.(water on Earth essential to development of life)
This article describes the "just right" conditions of Earth and how essential water is to life
on the planet.
MARS:
FROM EARTH TO MARS - Carbon Dioxide Crystals Help Interplanetary Studies
This article compares Mars to Earth with the aspects of Carbon Dioxide Crystals found
on Mars.
Craft tracks giant dust storm on Mars AND After a Martian Dust Storm
The two articles briefly discuss the largest dust storm to have occurred in the past 25
years on the planet, Mars.
Plate Tectonics
This article describes plate tectonics on Mars and compares the land to Earth.
Martian Chronicle AND MISSION to MARS
These two articles describe the latest development for the future exploration of Mars. The
two articles also describe the conditions of the planet closest resembling Earth.
Red River Valleys? AND A Survey of Ancient Mars
These two articles go into depth on the terrain of Mars and the past and present
conditions found on its land. The second article also discusses Mars's atmosphere, along
with the terrain.
JUPITER:
THE MYSTERIOUS MOONS OF JUPITER
This article describes Jupiter's many moons, along with discussing the conditions on the
planet Jupiter.
Images reveal stormy collision on Jupiter
This article is great for learning about the many aspects of Jupiter's atmosphere with great
detail.
VENUS
The first part of this article describes the reason behind the weather on Jupiter.
SATURN:
Ringside Seat
This article describes Saturn's atmosphere along with its fascinating rings.
URANUS:
NEPTUNE:
Mysterious NEPTUNE
This article is great for learning all about Neptune along with the basic facts.
NEPTUNE RISING
This article compares Neptune with the other planets in the Solar System along with
describing the rain of diamonds.
PLUTO:
Nine Planets, or Eight
This article describes the possibility of Pluto not being an actual planet.
SUN:
Our Star, the Sun
This article goes into depth on all of the aspects of the Sun's atmosphere.