Central Star - The Sun Quiz

Study Notes

Brightest star in the Solar System, existing for approximately 4.6 billion years; predicted to continue for at least another 5 billion years.
Emits various radiation types: ultraviolet, radio waves, gamma rays, X-rays, microwaves, and infrared rays.

Mercury
- Named after the Greek messenger god Hermes.
- Orbital period: 88 Earth days; rotation period: 58 Earth days.
- Extreme surface temperatures range from 427°C at noon to -173°C at night.
- Known as the morning and evening star, closest to the Sun without an atmosphere or moons.
Venus
- Named after the Greek goddess of beauty Aphrodite.
- Orbital period: 255 Earth days; rotation period: 243 Earth days (retrograde rotation).
- Surface temperature averages 482°C; covered by thick carbon dioxide clouds.
- Active volcanic activity is suggested by surface features revealed during rare clear conditions.
Earth
- Named after the primordial goddess of life Gaia.
- Orbital period: 365 days; rotation period: 24 hours.
- Average surface temperature is around 15°C; known as the "Blue Planet" due to water coverage.
- Unique in hosting life, facilitated by its multilayered atmosphere rich in oxygen.
- Situated in the Goldilocks Zone, where liquid water is possible; located between Venus and Mars.
Mars
- Named after the Greek god of war Ares.
- Orbital period: 687 days; rotation period: 24.6 hours.
- Known as the "Red Planet" due to surface iron oxide.
- Hosts Olympus Mons, the largest volcano, and Valles Marineris, the largest canyon.
- Two moons:
  - Phobos: Closer to Mars, predicted to eventually crash into the planet.
  - Deimos: Farther, predicted to escape Mars' gravity over time.

Serves as the boundary between the inner and outer planets.
Contains a collection of planetary debris in orbit around the Sun.
Theories of formation:
- A planet once existed but was destroyed.
- Debris left over from the Solar System's formation.
Asteroids become meteors when entering a planet's atmosphere and turn into meteorites upon disintegration.

Jupiter
- Largest planet in the Solar System, named after Zeus, the god of gods.
- Size allows it to contain all other solar system bodies within it.
- Atmosphere dominated by hydrogen; known for the Great Red Spot, a massive storm system.
- Has 62 moons, with notable ones including:
  - Ganymede: Largest moon with a planetary gravitational pull.
  - Callisto: Second largest, has a carbon dioxide atmosphere.
  - Io: Active surface continually reshaped by tectonic activity.
  - Europa: Icy surface with a subsurface ocean, atmosphere of ionic oxygen.
Saturn
- Second largest planet, named after the titan Cronus.
- Renowned for its extensive rings composed of ice and rock, divided into three groups.
- Atmosphere consists mainly of hydrogen and helium, with strong winds (up to 1770 km/h).
- Hosts 24 moons, most notably:
  - Titan: Largest moon, features a dense, glowing atmosphere.