The Solar

System

The Structure of the Solar System

The Sun 4 Inner planets 4 Jovian planets 8 Dwarf planets

30 objects highly likely to be dwarf planets 60 objects which are likely to be dwarf planets 103 objects which are probably dwarf planets 394 objects which are possibly dwarf planets

The Sun

One of 100 billion stars in our galaxy The largest object in our solar system.

Contains >99.8% of the mass in our solar system

70% H, 28% He Energy produced by nuclear fusion

Mercury

Closest planet to the sun

Named for Mercury, the Roman messenger of the Gods

Similar in size to our moon

Unusual orbit and rotation

Iron-nickel core with silicate mantle

Venus

Named for the Goddess of Love We can see it in the sky Similar to Earth’s mass and diameter Thick atmosphere of CO2 and

Sulphuric acid Very hot 482⁰C (greenhouse effect) Spins opposite of other planets

Earth

Largest of the inner planets Atmosphere of N2, CO2, and

O2

Liquid water helps support life

Crust, mantle, liquid core, solid core Mantle consists of Mg, Fe, SiO4

Core consists of Fe and Ni Not too hot, not too cold!

Mars

Named after the Roman god of war

Red in colour (iron oxide, Fe2O3) ½ Earth’s diameter A day on Mars is just 40 min

longer than on Earth Olympus Mons – the largest

volcano in the solar system (3x height of Mt. Everest)

Water on Mars (but not as much as Earth) Locked in permafrost in ice caps

Asteroid Belt

Between Mars and Jupiter

Total mass would equal 10% of Earth’s moon

Ceres is the only dwarf planet in the inner solar system Indications of a weak

atmosphere and surface water

Jupiter

Named after Roman king of the gods

Largest planet Giant gas ball (H and He) Solid core of Fe, rock, and

H2O 61 moons Huge storms – largest

storm is the Great Red Spot (so big, all of Earth could fit in it!)

Very faint rings

Saturn

Named after Roman god of agriculture

Large and beautiful ring system Ice with some rocky

material Atmosphere of H and He Lightest of all planets 30 moons

Titan is a bit larger than Mercury

Uranus

Named after Greek god of the sky Coldest planet (-220C!) Blue-green colour (due to methane in

atomsphere) Tilted axis; spins on its side

One hemisphere almost all day, other almost all night

Neptune

Named after Roman god of seas

Smallest of gas planets Strong winds – up to 2000km/h Also has methane in

atmosphere causes green/blue colour

Atmosphere is H, He, and CH4 Large storms – also has a ‘dark

spot’ 8 moons (including Tritan)

Dwarf Planets (Including Pluto) A dwarf planet is a celestial

body that: Orbits the sun. Has enough mass to assume a

nearly round shape. Has not cleared the neighborhood

around its orbit. Is not a moon.

The first five recognized dwarf planets are Ceres, Pluto, Eris, Makemake and Haumea.

Dwarf Planets (Including Pluto) 8 Dwarf planets

30 objects highly likely to be dwarf planets 60 objects which are likely to be dwarf planets 103 objects which are probably dwarf planets 394 objects which are possibly dwarf planets