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