AST MT Notes PDF

Orbit Summary - The planets all orbit in the same plane (called Ecliptic Plane) - All orbit in the same direction - Sun rotates ion the same direction that planets orbit - Planets all have elliptical orbits - The closer the planet is to the sun, the faster it orbits Terrestrial Plane...

Orbit Summary - The planets all orbit in the same plane (called Ecliptic Plane) - All orbit in the same direction - Sun rotates ion the same direction that planets orbit - Planets all have elliptical orbits - The closer the planet is to the sun, the faster it orbits Terrestrial Planets Small, rocky, thin/no atmosphere, few moons, heavy elements MERCURY, VENUS, MARS, EARTH Mercury - Closets to the sun - Iron core - Cratered surface - No moons Venus - About same size of earth - Volcanoes - Acid rain - No moons - Rotates slow and backwards Earth - About same size as venus - Large moon - 23.5 degree orbital tilt. Mars - Lots of volcanoes - Oceans have evaporated - Significant seasons due to 25.5 orbital tilt Jovian Planets JUPITER, SATURN, URANUS, NEPTUNE Jupiter - Largest planet in solar system - Giant ball of liquid hydrogen - Faint rings - Many moons Saturn  - Second largest planet in solar system - Structure similar to jupiter - Has rings - Many moons Uranus - Coldest planet - Small rocky core - Lots of moons Neptune - Furthest from the sun - Structure similar to uranus - Strong winds Earth's moon - Rocky - No atmosphere - Cratered surface - Looks like Mercury Comets - Smaller icy bodies from outer solar system - Highlight elliptical orbits - Emit tails when they get close to sun