Planets & Distance

Essential Questions:

• What are the major components of the universe? (SPI 0601.6.1)

• How does the distance of objects in space from Earth affect how they appear? (SPI 0607.6.2)

Terrestrial Planets

• Mercury• Venus• Earth • Mars

Terrestrial Planets

• The inner planets closest to the Sun.• “Earth-like” planets because they are small,

dense, and rocky.

Mercury

• Closest planet to the Sun.• Has no moons.

Venus

• Almost the same size, mass, and density as Earth.

• Earth’s “sister planet”• Hottest planet in the solar system due to the

greenhouse effect and a dense atmosphere.

Earth

• Known as the oasis in space and has the right condition for plants and animals.

Mars

• “Red-planet”• Cold • Site of the Olympus Mons-highest mountain in

the solar system.

Gas Giants

• Jupiter• Saturn• Uranus• Neptune

Gas Giants

• The outer planets.• Very large and do not have any known solid

surfaces.

Gas Giants vs. Terrestrial Planets

Jupiter

• The largest planet in the solar system.• Has a permanent storm on its surface-Great

Red Spot.• Has at least 61 moons.

Saturn

• Planet with the largest rings.

Uranus• Tipped on its side at a

90 degree angle.

Neptune

• Known as the blue world.

Pluto

• Now known as a dwarf planet. • Does not fit into characteristics of terrestrial

or gas.

Distance

• The closer a planet or object to Earth the larger it looks.

• The father away a planet or object is to Earth the smaller it looks.

Review:

• What planets are closest to the sun?a. Terrestrial b. gas giants

• What planets are the outer planets made of no known solid surfaces?

a. Terrestrial b. gas giants

Review

• What planet is most like Earth?a. Mercury b. Venus c. Mars

• What planet has the most moons?a. Venus b. Neptune c. Jupiter

Review

• What is the largest planet in our solar system?a. Mercury b. Venus c. Jupiter

What planet is tipped at a 90 degree angle?a. Uranus b. Venus c. Neptune