Post on 19-Jan-2016
Tuesday, December 8YOU NEED YOUR JOURNAL AND A PENCIL
Sun, Moon, & EarthSun
Moon
Earth
What is a planet? http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/hew06.sci.ess.eiu.plan
etdefine/what-is-a-planet/
Our understanding about the universe and our place in it has changed over time. New information can cause us to rethink what we know and reevaluate how we classify objects in order to better understand them. New ideas and perspectives can come from questioning a theory or seeing where a classification breaks down
A planet must: orbit the sun be large enough so that its own gravity molds it into a
spherical shape it must have an orbit free of other small objects
The Terrestrial Planets
Mercury The smallest of the terrestrial planets, about a
third of the size of Earth. It has a thin atmosphere, which causes it to swing
between burning and freezing temperatures. Average surface temperature: 243°F A dense planet, made of iron and nickel Surface has many deep craters and is covered by
a thin layer of tiny particle silicates. In 2012, scientists found evidence of water ice (in
craters shaded from the sun) Mercury’s thin atmosphere and close proximity to
the sun make it impossible to host life as we know it
Venus
About the same size as Earth Thick, toxic carbon monoxide-dominated atmosphere
that traps heat, making it the hottest planet in the solar system.
Average surface temperature: 867°F Surface - volcanoes and deep canyons The planet is hostile to life as we know it.
Earth
The largest of the four terrestrial planets Only planet to have extensive regions of liquid water. Average surface temperature: 59°F Earth has one moon.
Mars
The Red Planet Small, rocky Mars is too cold and its atmosphere is too thin
to allow liquid water to exist at the surface for long.
Has the largest volcanic mountain in the solar system.
Average surface temperature: -81° F Has 2 small moons
Asteroid Belt
Outer Planets
Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune
The gas giants
Jupiter
Largest planet in the solar system More than twice as massive as all other planets
combined. Could hold more than 1,300 Earths Great Red Spot – a giant hurricane-like storm Has the strongest magnetic field of all planets Atmosphere 90% hydrogen, 10% helium Average surface temperature: -234°F Has at least 63 moons
Saturn
Sixth planet from the Sun and 2nd largest - big enough to hold 760 Earths.
Farthest planet from Earth visible to the naked human eye, but through a telescope you can see it’s rings – made of rocks and ice
Gas giant made up mostly of hydrogen - 96%. Only planet less dense than water – would float in a bathtub Yellow and gold bands are super-fast winds in the upper atmosphere Has at least 62 moons Average surface temperature: -288°F
Uranus (YOOR-UN-US) “urine us”
Blue-green color Atmosphere 82.5% hydrogen, 15.2% helium, 2.3 % methane Average surface temperature: -357°F Smaller of the gas giants but it is still a giant – 60 Earths
could fit inside. Axial tilt: 97.77°, compared to Earth’s 23.5°. Spins in the opposite direction Has 27 known moons
Neptune
Greatest distance from the sun, goes around the sun once every 165 Earth years
Thought to be composed of 25% rock, 60-70% ice, and 5 – 15% gases
Atmosphere 80% hydrogen, 19% helium, 1.5% methane
Has 6 rings and 13 confirmed moons Average surface temperature: -353°F
Can we live on another planet?
What is the most important ingredient for life?
http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/ess05.sci.ess.eiu.water/ingredients-for-life-water/
Food to eatPlanets need to supply
chemicals that creatures can use for energy
“Air” to breatheA planet’s atmosphere can
supply life with chemicals in gas form (e.g., air)
Comfortable temperature
Planets can be hot, moderate (i.e., Earth) or cold
Ability to moveA planet’s surface (solid, liquid, gas) affects how
creatures can move
Gravity
The more massive a planet is, along with its size, determines
the pull of gravity on a creature
Life RequirementsRelated Planetary Characteristics
Tour the solar system
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/space/tour-solar-system.html
Pre-AP Science Fair Drop-off