A Tour of THE SOLAR SYSTEM

The SunThe Sun The Sun is a star. The Sun is a star. It is 4,500 million years old It is 4,500 million years old It takes 8 minutes for its light to It takes 8 minutes for its light to

reach the Earth.reach the Earth. 98.6% mass of the Solar System98.6% mass of the Solar System Consists of Hydrogen (74%) and Consists of Hydrogen (74%) and

Helium (24%)Helium (24%)

• Radius: 695,000 kmRadius: 695,000 km• Mass: 333,000 Earths! Mass: 333,000 Earths! • Surface Temperature: 5,500 °CSurface Temperature: 5,500 °C• Core Temperature: 15,500,000 °CCore Temperature: 15,500,000 °C

MercuryMercuryScans indicate that craters Scans indicate that craters

at the poles contain water at the poles contain water ice. ice.

Temperatures reach Temperatures reach 450450°C°C during the day. At during the day. At night, the temperature night, the temperature drop to -170drop to -170°C°C..

• Radius: 2400 kmRadius: 2400 km• Mass: 3.30 x 10Mass: 3.30 x 102323 kg kg

• Distance from Sun: 58 million km (0.38 AU)Distance from Sun: 58 million km (0.38 AU)

Mercury Earth Size Comparison

VenusVenusSurface temperatures are Surface temperatures are

a constant 500a constant 500°C due to °C due to thick atmospherethick atmosphere

The atmosphere is 95% The atmosphere is 95% Carbon DioxideCarbon Dioxide

Venus rotates in the Venus rotates in the opposite direction to other opposite direction to other planets in the Solar planets in the Solar System.System.

• Radius: 6500 kmRadius: 6500 km• Mass: 4.86 x 10Mass: 4.86 x 102424 kg kg

• Distance from Sun: Distance from Sun: 108 million km (0.72 AU) 108 million km (0.72 AU)

Thick cloud cover blanketing Venus

Mountain ranges on Venus taken with Radar. Note the metallic snow.

EarthEarth

Radius: 6,400 kmRadius: 6,400 kmMass: 5.8 x 1024 kgMass: 5.8 x 1024 kgTemperature: -80 to 60 °CTemperature: -80 to 60 °CDistance from Sun: Distance from Sun: 146 million km (1 AU)146 million km (1 AU)

Surface is 70% covered by water.Surface is 70% covered by water.Over 2200 manmade satellites in orbit

MarsMarsSurface temperatures are Surface temperatures are

between 0between 0°C and -100°C°C and -100°CHas the highest mountain Has the highest mountain

in the Solar System – the in the Solar System – the Olympus Mons (24km Olympus Mons (24km high and 600km wide at high and 600km wide at the base)the base)

• Radius: 3400 kmRadius: 3400 km• Mass: 6.4 x 10Mass: 6.4 x 102323 kg kg

• Distance from Sun: Distance from Sun: 228 million km (1.5 AU) 228 million km (1.5 AU)

Size comparison of the Inner Planet

Asteroid BeltAsteroid Belt

• Located between Jupiter and Mars

• Has a dwarf planet, Ceres – 950km in diameter

• Gravity from Jupiter prevented debris from forming into a planet

Ceres – the dwarf planet

Gaspro – a 400km-long asteroid

JupiterJupiter Made up of 90% Made up of 90%

hydrogen, 10% heliumhydrogen, 10% helium probably has a core of probably has a core of

rocky material of 10 to rocky material of 10 to 15 Earth-masses 15 Earth-masses

Great Red Spot – a Great Red Spot – a storm that has been storm that has been raging for over 300 raging for over 300 years. As big as 2 years. As big as 2 Earths.Earths.

Has over 63 moonsHas over 63 moons• Radius: 71000 kmRadius: 71000 km

• Mass: 1.9 x 10Mass: 1.9 x 102727 kg kg • Distance from Sun: Distance from Sun: 780 million km (5.2 AU) 780 million km (5.2 AU)

Time-lapse animation from Voyager I on approach to Jupiter.Time-lapse animation from Voyager I on approach to Jupiter.

While Hiding Behind The Sun, Jupiter Loses One Of Its Belts

Io Io – The most volcanically active object in the Solar System

Europa Europa – ice-covered moon that may harbour life

SaturnSaturn

75% hydrogen, 25% helium with a rocky core and liquid 75% hydrogen, 25% helium with a rocky core and liquid hydrogen mantle. hydrogen mantle.

The rings are 250000km in diameter but only 1 km thick.The rings are 250000km in diameter but only 1 km thick. Has 34 named moonsHas 34 named moons

• Radius: 60000 kmRadius: 60000 km• Mass: 5.7 x 10Mass: 5.7 x 102626 kg kg

• Distance from Sun: Distance from Sun: 1400 million km (9.5 AU) 1400 million km (9.5 AU)

Saturn’s Rings showing spoke formations

Mimas – a small moon of Saturn

UranusUranus Composed mainly of rock Composed mainly of rock

and various icesand various ices Has a tilt of 97Has a tilt of 97° so ° so

rotates on its siderotates on its side has 21 named moons has 21 named moons

and 6 unnamedand 6 unnamed Surface temperature of Surface temperature of

~50~50K (-223°C)K (-223°C)

• Radius: 25000 kmRadius: 25000 km• Mass: 8.7 x 10Mass: 8.7 x 102525 kg kg

• Distance from Sun: Distance from Sun: 2900 million km (19.2 AU) 2900 million km (19.2 AU)

NeptuneNeptune The existence of Neptune The existence of Neptune

was predicted as it was was predicted as it was noticed that Uranus’ orbit noticed that Uranus’ orbit did not fit with Newton’s did not fit with Newton’s laws - another planet must laws - another planet must be influencing Uranus' be influencing Uranus' orbit. orbit.

Discovered in 1846Discovered in 1846 September 2011 marks September 2011 marks

one orbit since it was one orbit since it was discovered.discovered. • Radius: 25000 kmRadius: 25000 km

• Mass: 1 x 10Mass: 1 x 102626 kg kg • Distance from Sun: Distance from Sun: 4500 million km (30 AU) 4500 million km (30 AU)

Neptune Neptune showing its showing its horizontal horizontal

axis and ring axis and ring formationsformations

Clouds high in the atmosphere

of Neptune

PlutoPluto Downgraded from ‘planet’ to ‘dwarf planet’ in 2006Downgraded from ‘planet’ to ‘dwarf planet’ in 2006

Smaller than The MoonSmaller than The Moon Has one moon - CharonHas one moon - Charon

Kuiper BeltKuiper Belt

• 30 to 55 AU

• Like the asteroid belt but consisting of debris made of ices

Oort CloudOort Cloud

• Hypothetical source of comets that stray into our Solar System

• 50,000 AU from the Sun

The Milky WayThe Milky Way