What are the inner planets?
The four planets closest to the sun are known as the
inner planets. Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars
Mercury
This picture of
Mercury was
made by joining
many smaller
photos taken by
Mariner 10. No
photos were taken
of the area that
looks smooth.
Mercury is the planet closest to
the Sun.
It is a small planet, a little bigger
than Earth’s moon.
Mercury is covered with
thousands of dents. The dents are
shaped like bowls and are called
craters.
Craters were made when
meteorites crashed into Mercury’s
surface long ago.
Venus
Venus is the second planet
from the Sun.
It is about the same size as Earth,
but Venus turns in the opposite
direction.
Like Mercury, Venus is very hot
and dry.
Unlike Mercury, Venus has an
atmosphere made of thick,
swirling clouds.
Using the chart, What is one reason people cannot live
on Mercury or Venus?
They are both too hot to live on!
Using the chart, how much longer is Venus’ Earth year?
137 years longer
Earth
Earth, our home, is the third
planet from the Sun.
It is also the solar system’s
largest rocky planet.
Earth is the only planet that
has liquid water on its surface.
In fact, most of Earth’s surface
is covered with water.
Earth is the only planet in the
solar system known to support
life.
Earth’s
Moon
Moons are satellites of
planets.
A satellite is an object that
orbits another object in space.
Just as planets revolve around
the Sun because of gravity,
moons revolve around planets.
Earth has one large moon.
The diameter of the Moon is
about one-fourth the diameter
of Earth.
Mars
The fourth planet from the
Sun is Mars.
The rocks and soil that cover
much of Mars contain the
mineral iron oxide.
This mineral is reddish-brown
in color. It is the same material
that makes up rust.
This has given Mars its
nickname, the "Red Planet."
How much lighter is a 100 pound person on Mars?
62 pounds
Why is the average surface temperature considerably
lower on Mars compared to Earth
It is farther from the sun.
Quiz Time!
Let’s see how you do
locating the planet!
Find the planet
This Planet has an atmosphere
made of thick, swirling clouds.
Earth
Venus
Mars
Oh no! Quick
guess again!
Great Job Kids!
Find the planet
This planet is closest to the
sun.
Earth
Mercury
Mars
Oh no! Quick
guess again!
Great Job Kids!
Find the planet
This is the fourth planet from
the sun.
Earth
Venus
Mars
Oh no! Quick
guess again!
Great Job Kids!
Find the planet
This is the largest of the inner
planets.
Earth
Venus
Mercury
Oh no! Quick
guess again!
Great Job Kids!
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