The Solar System
How is the age of the solar system estimated?
The age of the solar system is estimated by the dating of rocks.
The inner planets are called terrestrial because they
are small and highly dense.
Ptolemy proposed that the sun, moon, and planets orbited Earth in
circles.
Tides are observed around Earth's
coastal areas
Aristotle first proposed that _____ was at the center of the solar system.
earth
_____ is the only planet in the solar system known to sustain life
earth
Including Earth, there are _____ planets in the solar system
eight
Kepler correctly proposed that the planets orbited the sun in _____ orbits.
elliptical
All five outer planets are
far away from the sun
When Earth is between the sun and the moon, the moon is in its ____________________ phase.
full moon
Pluto, unlike the other outer planets, is not a ____________________.
gas giant
A ____________________ model of the solar system has Earth at the center.
geo centric
The solar system is held together by ____________________.
gravity
Earth's atmosphere helps keep out ____________________.
harmful radiation / space debris
Earth's atmosphere protects it from
high-energy solar particles. ultraviolet radiation. space debris.
A gas giant often has ____________________ satellites than a terrestrial planet.
more
Earth is one of many ____________________ in the solar system.
planets
Gas giants are known for their
ring structures.
Saturn is known for having the most extensive ____________________ in the solar system.
ring system
Most comets come from
the Oort cloud.
The planets closest to the sun are called ____________________.
the inner or terrestrial planets
Tides on Earth are caused primarily by
the moon's gravitational force
Comets are probably made from leftover matter from the formation of
the solar system.
All of the planets in the solar system orbit around ____________________.
the sun
All planets in the solar system revolve around
the sun
Venus is known for its
thick atmosphere
A gas giant has a ____________________ atmosphere.
thick; gaseous
The nebular model explains
why the inner and outer planets differ. why the planets are all widely separated. the presence of comets and asteroids.
Why does the moon have phases?
As the moon orbits Earth, varying portions of the moon's illuminated surface are visible from Earth.
The moon orbits
Earth
The moon orbits ____________________ at a distance of 385, 000 km
Earth
The moon's gravitational field is the primary cause of ____________________.
Earth's tides
What are the characteristics of gas giants?
Gas giants have deep, massive atmospheres, low densities, many satellites, and rings.
The Great Red Spot, a hurricane-like storm with twice the diameter of Earth, is found on
Jupiter.
The asteroid belt exists between Mars and
Jupiter.
Olympus Mons, a volcano on _____, is the largest volcano in the solar system.
Mars
From Earth, _____ is a planet visible to the naked eye.
Mercury
List the planets of the solar system, from closest to farthest from the sun.
Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto.
In 1687, _____ explained that gravitational forces hold the solar system together.
Newton
List the planets of the solar system, from smallest to largest.
Pluto, Mercury, Mars, Venus, Earth, Uranus, Neptune, Saturn, Jupiter
Where is the asteroid belt located?
The asteroid belt is located between Mars and Jupiter, and is regarded as the boundary between the inner and outer planets.
Compare and contrast the inner and outer planets.
The inner planets are small, dense, and rocky, with few if any satellites, and are closest to the sun. The outer planets are mostly large, with thick gaseous atmospheres, no real surface, extensive ring structures, and many satellites. They are also farthest from the sun.
What is the solar system composed of?
The solar system is composed of the sun, the planets, their satellites, and many other smaller objects.
How is the solar system held together?
The solar system is held together by gravitational forces, balanced by the forward motion of all its components.
____________________ is the closet star to Earth.
The sun
____________________ is the only planet tilted on its side.
Uranus