Introduction to the Solar System
BY: The Black River Astronomical Society
http://www.BlackRiverAstro.org
Do You Know?
• Do other solar systems exist???
Do You Know?
• Do other solar systems exist???
In the last few years Scientists have discovered
over 500 separate Solar Systems in Space.
GOAL
• To be able to describe the bodies
found in our solar system and the
way in which they move
Become a planet expert………
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Numbered position from sun
Inner or outer planet?
Describe surface? What is it made of?
Number of moons? Rings?
Temperature
Any other interesting info
The planets
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Mercury
Venus
Earth
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
Planetary Distances
• Distances between
planets measured in
Astronomical Units
(AU)
• 1 AU= distance
from Earth to the
Sun (150 million
km)
Planetary Orbits
• Planets revolve
around the sun in
elliptical orbits
(oval)
• http://www.amastro.or
g/at/pl/plo.html
Formation of the
Solar System
• The solar system
formed from a huge
swirling cloud of
gases and dust
specks. The mass
fell to the center and
became a star (SUN)
• Some of the dust and
frozen gases stuck
together in clumps
(large clumps
became planets)
MERCURY- The god of
commerce and thievery
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Closest to sun
Hot days, cold nights
Rocky surface
Revolves quick
No rings or moons
Slow rotation
Iron/metal core
VENUS- God of Love and Beauty
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2nd from sun
Slow rotation- backwards
Solid rock
Clouds- greenhouse effect
No rings or moons
Metal core
EARTH
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3rd from sun
Moderate temps
Metal core, rocky surface
One moon, no rings
Life, liquid water
MARS- God of War
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4th from sun
Rust color w/ pink sky
Icecaps
Metal core, rocky surface
No rings, 2 moons
JUPITER- King of Gods
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5th from sun
Largest
Gas surface, rock core
Colored clouds, storms
Thin ring, 12 moons
Great red spot
Shortest day - 10 hrs
SATURN- Father of Jupiter
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6th from Sun
Least dense, made of gas
Large, spins quick
High winds
7 rings, 18 moons
URANUS- God of the Heavens
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7th from Sun
Large, gaseous
Blue, thick clouds
Rock & ice
15 moons, 11 rings
Spins sideways
NEPTUNE- God of the Sea
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8th from sun
Large, gaseous
Windiest, scooter cloud
Great dark spot
8 moons, 4 rings
Rock core
Inner vs. Outer Planets
• INNER PLANETS
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Hard, rocky surface
Atmosphere
Metal core
Warm temps
No/few moons
No rings
Mercury, Venus, Earth,
Mars
• OUTER PLANETS
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Gaseous surface
Giant size
Colorful clouds
Many moons
Many rings
Cold/icy temps
Exception: Pluto
Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus,
Neptune
PLUTO- God of the Underworld
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9th from Sun
Cold, ice and rock surface
Eccentric orbit
No longer a planet
Moon-Charon
Assessment
• Which planet is the largest?
• Which planet is fourth from the sun?
• Which planet is known as the double planet and
why?
• Name the four inner planets
• What is one characteristic of all/most outer planets
• What is one characteristic of all/most inner planets