Chapter 3 The Solar System

Section 3The Outer Planets

Notes 3-4

Outer Planets First four of the outer planets are

called Gas Giants• Also called Jovian Planets

Because they are like Jupiter• Larger and more massive than the inner

planets Far less dense

• Made of mostly hydrogen and helium May have a solid core

Jupiter

Jupiter Fifth planet from the sun Named after Roman king of the gods Mass is twice of the other eight

planets combined Orbital period: 12 years Rotation rate: 9hrs 50 mins 63 natural satellites 4 rings

Jupiter Made mostly of hydrogen = 90%

• Liquid metallic hydrogen Made of ionized protons and electrons under

great pressure Electrical conductor and possibly the cause of its

magnetic field• Gets more dense farther into the interior

Made of helium = 10% Might have a rocky core

• 10-15 Earth masses• Temp rises to 30,000°C

Jupiter Atmosphere

• Mixture of hot gases and liquids• Made of ammonia, methane, water vapor

and possible sulfur Winds

• Around 400 mph• Extend deep into the planet• Blow in opposite directions in alternating

bands

Jupiter Alternating light and dark bands

• Believe the rapid rotation causes the bands• Avg. temp. of atmosphere = -160 °C• Lower layers are 20 °C (around the temp of

Earth)• Has lightning and thunderstorms• Even though lightning and methane,

ammonia and water vapor are thought to be the beginning of life NO LIFE

Jupiter Great Red Spot

• Giant rotating storm• 12,000 to 25,000 km

Big enough to hold two earth’s

• Has lasted for more than 300 years

Jupiter and Moons in night sky

Io

Io Named after a nymph that was

seduced by Zeus Made of molten silicate rock

(terrestrial) Most volcanically active place in solar

system• Sulfur and sulfur dioxide• Hot spot range from 2000 K to 130 K

Thin atmosphere of sulfur dioxide• No water

Europa

Europa Made of silicate rock (terrestrial) Has a thin layer of ice

• Looks like sea ice on Earth• Might be liquid water under ice

Dark Streaks• May have been formed by volcanic

eruptions of geysers Oxygen in its thin atmosphere

Ganymede

Ganymede Largest satellite in solar system

• Larger than Mercury Three different layers

• Molten core• Rocky mantle• Icy shell as crust

Oxygen in its thin atmosphere

Callisto

Callisto 40% ice, 60% rock or iron Very old surface

• Covered in craters Like moon and Mercury

• Oldest surface in solar system Atmosphere

• Made of CO2 No volcanic activity