MercuryMercuryVenusVenusEarthEarthMarsMars

CharacteristicsCharacteristics

SmallSmall Rocky Rocky

surfacesurface

MercuryMercury

The size of Earth’s moonThe size of Earth’s moon Has no moons of it’s ownHas no moons of it’s own Because it is so close to sun, it is hard Because it is so close to sun, it is hard

to seeto see Only half of the planet has been Only half of the planet has been

photographed, the rest is a mysteryphotographed, the rest is a mystery Surface is flat and rockySurface is flat and rocky Small amounts of gas in atmosphereSmall amounts of gas in atmosphere During day:During day: 430 degrees C430 degrees C During night:During night: - 170 degrees C- 170 degrees C

Mercury Questions…Mercury Questions…

1.1. What is Mercury’s surface like?What is Mercury’s surface like?

2.2. When is Mercury hot?When is Mercury hot?

3.3. When is it cold?When is it cold?

4.4. Why is Mercury hard to study?Why is Mercury hard to study?

5.5. What do you think the other side What do you think the other side of Mercury looks like? (3 of Mercury looks like? (3 sentences)sentences)

Mercury Activities…Mercury Activities…

Do Mercury mini-muralDo Mercury mini-mural Do Mercury word search-page 13Do Mercury word search-page 13

VenusVenus

Venus shines like a star in the sky- it Venus shines like a star in the sky- it reflects light from the sunreflects light from the sun

Called Earth’s twin because they are Called Earth’s twin because they are the same in sizethe same in size

Venus rotates backwards, east to Venus rotates backwards, east to west- west- retrograde rotationretrograde rotation- may have - may have been struck by a large objectbeen struck by a large object

We could not breath on Venus- it’s full We could not breath on Venus- it’s full of carbon dioxideof carbon dioxide

Venus continued…Venus continued…

There is NEVER a sunny day on Venus, There is NEVER a sunny day on Venus, the clouds are too thick!the clouds are too thick!

The clouds trap the heat near Venus’ The clouds trap the heat near Venus’ surface –surface –greenhouse effectgreenhouse effect

The temperature is around 900 The temperature is around 900 degrees F everyday!degrees F everyday!

20 spacecraft have visited Venus20 spacecraft have visited Venus The surface is full of volcanoes with The surface is full of volcanoes with

lava flow, craters, and strange domes lava flow, craters, and strange domes not seen before.not seen before.

Venus Questions…Venus Questions…

1.1. Is Venus star? How does it shine Is Venus star? How does it shine in the night sky?in the night sky?

2.2. Why can’t astronomers see what Why can’t astronomers see what Venus looks like?Venus looks like?

3.3. Why is Venus moving backwards?Why is Venus moving backwards?

4.4. What is one thing that Earth and What is one thing that Earth and Venus have in common?Venus have in common?

Venus activities…Venus activities…

Do Venus mini-muralDo Venus mini-mural

EarthEarth

Atmosphere made from oxygen, Atmosphere made from oxygen, nitrogen, and clouds of water dropletsnitrogen, and clouds of water droplets

70% of Earth is covered in water70% of Earth is covered in water We are the ONLY planet with oceans!We are the ONLY planet with oceans! 3 main layers- crust, mantle, and core3 main layers- crust, mantle, and core

Earth Questions…Earth Questions…

1.1. What is in our atmosphere that What is in our atmosphere that we need to breath?we need to breath?

2.2. How much of our planet is How much of our planet is covered with land?covered with land?

3.3. What are the 3 layers of the What are the 3 layers of the Earth?Earth?

4.4. Which layer is on the outside?Which layer is on the outside?

Compare and Contrast Compare and Contrast Earth and Venus:Earth and Venus:

VenusEarth

MarsMars

Called the “red planet”Called the “red planet” Atmosphere is mostly carbon Atmosphere is mostly carbon

dioxidedioxide Mars is very coldMars is very cold It has ice caps on both poles.It has ice caps on both poles.

Mars continued…Mars continued…

Water used to flow like ours Water used to flow like ours millions of years agomillions of years ago

It has seasons like EarthIt has seasons like Earth Used to have active volcanoesUsed to have active volcanoes Two small moons covered in Two small moons covered in

craterscraters

Inner Planets ReviewInner Planets Review

1.1. What characteristics do all inner What characteristics do all inner planets have in common?planets have in common?

2.2. Why is it hard to learn about Mercury?Why is it hard to learn about Mercury?3.3. Why could Earth be called the “water Why could Earth be called the “water

planet”?planet”?4.4. Why can astronomers see the surface Why can astronomers see the surface

of Mars clearly, but not Venus?of Mars clearly, but not Venus?5.5. Why is the surface of Venus so hot?Why is the surface of Venus so hot?6.6. Name two features that Mars and Name two features that Mars and

Earth both have.Earth both have.