The Nine Planets—Part #1
NAME: _______________________________
http://www.nineplanets.org
SOLAR SYSTEM OVERVIEW
1. Give the total numbers of each in our solar system:
Stars: _____
Planets: _____
Dwarf planets: _____
Natural satellites: _____
2. What bodies fall into the category of “small bodies?”
3. Where is the asteroid “belt?”
4. Even though there are lots of objects, most of the solar system is :
5. Which planet has the most ELLIPTICAL orbit?
6. Planet Classification:
Composition:
a.
b.
Size
a.
b.
Position Relative to Sun
a.
b.
7. Position Relative to the Earth:
a.
b.
MERCURY
8. How does Mercury compare to the other planets in terms of size?
9. How does Mercury compare to the size of the MOONS of other planets?
10. How is the PLANET Mercury related to the Roman god, Mercury?
11.Why is it hard to observe Mercury from the Earth?
12. The MESSENGER mission to Mercury left in ________ and arrived in __________.
Click the MESSENGER link. Examine at least five (5) photos. Comment:
KEY QUESTIONS:
Why are there so many craters?
Why is it so hot?
Why are the day/night temps so different?
VENUS
13. Venus was the Roman goddess of:
14. Only two other celestial bodies are brighter than Venus. They are:
15. Why is Venus so bright?
16. Numerous spacecraft have visited Venus. Which one is still actively providing data?
What agency is conduction this mission?
17. How long does Venus take to make one complete ROTATION (spin on its axis)?
18. The rotation of Venus is RETROGRADE—meaning what?
19.Describe the ATMOSPHERE of Venus:
Pressure:
Composition:
Cloud composition:
Surface temperature:
20. Why is the surface of Venus so hot?
21. Much of the surface of Venus is covered with _______ _______ .
22. What is the “transit of Venus” and when will it occur?
KEY QUESTIONS: Why is Venus hotter than Mercury when it is farther from the sun?
Why does Venus have an atmosphere?
KEY QUESTIONS RE: EARTH
Why is there so much more oxygen in the Earth’s atmosphere
(compared to Venus, for example)?
Why are there so few craters on Earth (compared to Mercury,
or even closer, the moon?)
MARS
23. Mars was the roman god of:
24. There have been numerous missions to Mars. Use this link to check out the Spirit and
Opportunity rovers.
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/mer/index.html
Are these machines still active?
25. The next lander, the Mars Science Lab, will get to the planet when? (Use the following
link.)
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/index.html
What is the name of the rover on this mission?
26. Surface features:
Olympus Mons (describe)
Mariner Valley: (describe)
27. The atmosphere of Mars is made of:
28. Why does the atmosphere of Mars have a pink tint?
29. Like Earth, Mars has polar ice caps. What are they made of?
30. SATELLITES: Phobos and Deimos are two large moons of Mars. What is their likely
origin?
31. In Mythology, who were these figures?
32. Fun, fun: towards the bottom of the page you will find a section of links called the
“face on Mars.” Take a few minutes to check out the images and the explanations.
Another incident of better technology answering a question?
33. If you are interested in a detailed exploration of the “water on Mars” issue, Go the site:
http://www.windows2universe.org/cool_stuff/tours_main.html&edu=high
And choose the “water on Mars” exploratour.
MARS KEY QUESTIONS:
Is there any evidence of life on Mars, past or present?
Is there Water on Mars, today?
Is there evidence of SURFACE water on Mars?