4.7 Solar System

This planet is third from the sun. It's atmosphere, the liquid water found on it, and its distance from the sun, among many other factors, make it a haven for life.

Earth

It is fifth from the sun. It is the largest planet in the solar system and is considered a gas giant. It has no solid surface.

Jupiter

It is fourth from the sun. The atmosphere on it is thin and there is a vast network of canyons and riverbeds on the red planet. Scientists hypothesize that it once supported a wet, warm Earth-like climate.

Mars

This planet is eighth from the sun. It appears blue through telescopes and is a gas giant.

Neptune

This planet is no longer included in the list of planets in our solar system due to its small size and irregular orbit.

Pluto

It is sixth from the sun. Early scientists thought it was the only planet with rings, but we now know that all four gas giants (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune) have rings

Saturn

What did early astronomers believe about the Earth?

That the Earth was the center of the universe and all other heavenly bodies orbited around Earth.

This planet is second from the sun. It is similar to Earth in size and mass, and has a permanent blanket of clouds that trap so much heat that the temperatures on the surface of this planet are hot enough to melt lead.

Venus

How many planets are in our solar system?

eight planets

What type of planets are Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune?

gas giants

A dwarf planet has not become what, and it shares its orbital space with other bodies of a similar size?

gravitationally dominant

Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars are considered what type of planets?

terrestrial planets.