6 Questions
Which planet has a highly elliptical orbit and is closest to the Sun?
Mercury
Which gas giant planet is known for its prominent ring system?
Saturn
Which planet is known for its reddish appearance due to iron oxide?
Mars
What is the main reason Pluto is no longer classified as a planet?
The International Astronomical Union redefined the term 'planet' in 2006
Which planet has the strongest winds in the solar system?
Neptune
What is a characteristic of terrestrial planets?
They have a solid surface
Study Notes
Planets of the Solar System
Terrestrial Planets
- Small, rocky planets with solid surfaces
- Include:
- Mercury
- Closest to the Sun
- Highly elliptical orbit
- Mars
- Known for reddish appearance due to iron oxide
- Potential for past water and life
- Earth
- Only known planet with life
- Atmosphere supports liquid water
- Venus
- Hottest planet due to thick atmosphere
- Volcanic surface with numerous volcanoes
- Mercury
Jovian Planets
- Large, gas giant planets with no solid surface
- Include:
- Jupiter
- Largest planet in our solar system
- Stormy atmosphere with Great Red Spot
- Saturn
- Known for prominent ring system
- At least 62 moons
- Uranus
- Tilted axis causes extreme seasons
- Thin ring system
- Neptune
- Farthest planet from the Sun
- Strongest winds in the solar system
- Jupiter
Other Planets
- Dwarf planets:
- Pluto
- Formerly considered a planet
- Now classified as a dwarf planet
- Eris
- Located in the Kuiper Belt
- Slightly larger than Pluto
- Pluto
Note: The definition of a planet was redefined in 2006 by the International Astronomical Union (IAU), resulting in the reclassification of Pluto as a dwarf planet.
Planets of the Solar System
Terrestrial Planets
- Characterized by small size, rocky composition, and solid surfaces
- Four terrestrial planets in our solar system: Mercury, Mars, Earth, and Venus
Mercury
- Closest planet to the Sun
- Highly elliptical orbit
Mars
- Known for reddish appearance due to iron oxide
- Potential for past water and life on the planet
Earth
- Only known planet with life
- Atmosphere supports liquid water
Venus
- Hottest planet due to thick atmosphere
- Volcanic surface with numerous volcanoes
Jovian Planets
- Characterized by large size, gas giant composition, and no solid surface
- Four jovian planets in our solar system: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune
Jupiter
- Largest planet in our solar system
- Stormy atmosphere with the Great Red Spot
Saturn
- Known for prominent ring system
- At least 62 moons
Uranus
- Tilted axis causes extreme seasons
- Thin ring system
Neptune
- Farthest planet from the Sun
- Strongest winds in the solar system
Dwarf Planets
- Pluto: formerly considered a planet, now classified as a dwarf planet
- Eris: located in the Kuiper Belt, slightly larger than Pluto
- Note: Pluto's reclassification as a dwarf planet in 2006 was due to the International Astronomical Union's (IAU) redefinition of a planet.
Learn about the different types of planets in our solar system, including terrestrial and Jovian planets. Discover their unique features and characteristics.
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