12.4 The Planets

Earth

1. 3rd planet from the sun 2. water exists on earth as a solid, liquid and gas 3. atmosphere protects surface from meteors and sun's radiation

Mars

1. 4th planet from the Sun 2. Called the "red planet" because of the iron oxide that is present in the surface rocks, giving them a reddish color 3. Thin atmosphere causing extreme temperatures, strong winds and global dust storms 4. has polar ice caps, seasons and other evidence that water is or was once present

Saturn

1. 6th planet from the sun 2. 2nd largest in the solar system 3. thick outer rings of hydrogen, helium, ammonia, methane and water vapor 4. 31 moons; the largest moon - Titan - is larger than Mercury

Uranus

1. 7th planet from the sun 2. large and gaseous 3. Methane in atmosphere gives planet its blue-green color 4. has tilted axis of rotation moving around sun like a rolling ball

Neptune

1. 8th planet from the Sun 2. Has a surface of frozen nitrogen and geysers that erupt nitrogen gases

Jupiter

1. Largest planet in the solar system 2. 5th from Sun 3. Atmosphere mostly hydrogen and helium, many high pressure gases 4. storms with the most notable being the Great Red Spot 5. Has at least 60 moons with four having their own atmosphere

Mercury

1. planet closest to the sun 2. has no true atmosphere; surface temperatures are extreme 3. has many craters and long steep cliffs

Venus

1. second from the sun 2. similar to Earth in size and mass 3. Extremely dense atmosphere of clouds causing intense greenhouse gases 4. Surface temps between 450 and 475 degrees

what is the order of the planets from the sun

Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune

Neutron Star

Starts as nebula, turns into high-mass star, next a red supergiant, then supernova and finally Neutron Star

What is the difference between terrestrial and gaseous planets

Terrestrial planets are made mainly of rock material Giant gaseous planets are made mainly of ice and gas

how are planets classified

classified according to their location in the solar system - inner planets and terrestrial planets

Star

depends on a large cloud of gas called the nebula. the nebula contracts increasing pressure and temperature inside the core to initiate nuclear fusion

What is the difference between inner and outer planets

inner those with orbits between the sun and asteroid belt; outer planets orbit outside the asteroid belt

White Dwarf

starts as nebula, then a low mass star, next a red giant and finally a white dwarf