The Inner planets Section 28.2.
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Transcript of The Inner planets Section 28.2.
Section 28.2
THE INNER PLANETS
MAIN IDEA• Mercury, Venus, and Earth, and Mars have high densities and rocky surfaces
• This is why we call them the terrestrial planets
MERCURY• Closest to the Sun making it difficult to see from Earth
• 1/3 the size of Earth
• Has no moons
• Atmosphere is replenished by the Sun
• Atmosphere composed of oxygen and sodium
• Surface covered with craters and plains
SCARPS: PLANETWIDE SYSTEM OF CLIFFS
VENUS• 2nd closest to the Sun
• Has no moons
• The brightest planet in the sky
• Often called the evening star
• Rotates very slowly
• 1 day on Venus = 243 Earth days
• Venus rotates clockwise (opposite to most)
• Very similar to Earth in diameter, mass, and density
• Clouds on Venus consist of sulfuric acid
• Greenhouse effect causes the high concentration carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to keep Venus’ surface temperature hot enough to melt lead.
• Venus is the hottest planet
EARTH
• It’s distance from the Sun and nearly circular orbit are perfect for life which allow water to exist in all three states
• It’s mild greenhouse effect and moderately dense atmosphere of Nitrogen and Oxygen are also perfect conditions for life
• Most tectonically active terrestrial planet
• Has one moon
MARS• Called the ‘red planet’ because of its reddish surface
• Smaller than Earth and less dense
• Has two moons: Phobos and Deimos
• Thin atmosphere
• Constant wind and dust storms
SURFACE• Northern hemisphere: cratered plains
• Southern hemisphere: cratered highlands
• Four gigantic volcanoes near equator
• Largest: Olympus Mons
• Ice caps on both poles
TECTONICS• Valles Marineris: 10 times the length of the Grand Canyon
• There is currently NO plate movement. The volcanoes and canyons were caused by hot spots of volcanic activity
• Erosion patterns suggest that water once existed on Mars
MARS CURIOSITY