The Solar System: Terrestrial Planets

Planets

Overview

• The solar system consists of eight planets ( Mercury to Neptune)
• Each planet is unique in terms of size, composition, temperature, and atmosphere

Terrestrial Planets

• Mercury
  • Smallest planet in the solar system
  • Closest to the sun
  • Rocky surface with many craters
• Mars
  • Known for its red appearance due to iron oxide
  • Has polar ice caps
  • Potential for life in the past
• Earth
  • Only known planet to support life
  • 71% of surface is water
  • Atmosphere composed of 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen
• Venus
  • Hottest planet in the solar system
  • Thick atmosphere traps heat
  • Volcanic surface with many mountains

Gas Giants

• Jupiter
  • Largest planet in the solar system
  • Composed mostly of hydrogen and helium
  • Known for its Great Red Spot storm
• Saturn
  • Second-largest planet in the solar system
  • Famous for its ring system
  • Composed mostly of hydrogen and helium
• Uranus
  • Tilted axis results in extreme seasons
  • Composed mostly of hydrogen, helium, and methane
  • Has a system of rings and moons
• Neptune
  • Coldest planet in the solar system
  • Composed mostly of hydrogen, helium, and methane
  • Has strong winds and a few small moons

Planets

Overview

• The solar system consists of eight distinct planets, ranging from Mercury to Neptune.
• Each planet has unique characteristics in terms of size, composition, temperature, and atmosphere.

Terrestrial Planets

• Mercury
  • Has a rocky surface with numerous craters, being the smallest planet in the solar system.
  • Is closest to the sun, with a highly elliptical orbit.
• Mars
  • Known for its reddish appearance due to iron oxide presence.
  • Features polar ice caps, indicating the possibility of water presence.
  • Has a potential for life existing in the past.
• Earth
  • Is the only known planet to support life.
  • Has a surface composition of 71% water.
  • Atmosphere consists of 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen.
• Venus
  • Is the hottest planet, with surface temperatures reaching up to 462°C.
  • Has a thick atmosphere that traps heat, resulting in a strong greenhouse effect.
  • Features a volcanic surface with numerous mountains.

Gas Giants

• Jupiter
  • Is the largest planet in the solar system, with a diameter of approximately 142,984 km.
  • Composed mostly of hydrogen and helium gases.
  • Features a prominent storm, known as the Great Red Spot.
• Saturn
  • Is the second-largest planet, with a diameter of approximately 116,460 km.
  • Famous for its elaborate ring system, composed of ice and rock particles.
  • Composed mostly of hydrogen and helium gases.
• Uranus
  • Has a highly tilted axis, resulting in extreme seasons.
  • Composed mostly of hydrogen, helium, and methane ices.
  • Features a system of rings and numerous moons.
• Neptune
  • Is the coldest planet, with temperatures reaching as low as -224°C.
  • Composed mostly of hydrogen, helium, and methane ices.
  • Features strong winds and a few small moons.