MondayOctober 3, 2011(Mercury; Venus; Video – Journey to

the Edge of the Universe – Part4)

The Launch PadMonday, 10/3/11

No Bell Ringer Today

Assignment Currently Open Page Date of Notes

on Website Date Issued Date DueLast Date

to Remediate

Quiz 3 TBD 9/19 9/19 9/19 10/3

Lab - Distance and Spacing of the Planets TBD 9/23 9/23 9/28

Quiz 4 TBD 9/27 9/27 9/27 10/11

Latest News

Watching the Sky in October, 2011

The Planets - A Brief Tour

Mercury• The innermost planet – 36

million miles from the Sun• The smallest planet – 3 015

miles in diameter• Has no atmosphere• Cratered highlands• Vast, smooth terrains• Very dense – average 5.4 g/cm3

(only Earth is denser)• Revolves quickly – only 88 days

to circle the Sun• Rotates slowly – 59 days to turn

once on its axis

Mercury

Venus• Venus is the third most brilliant

object in our sky after the Sun and Moon

• Its similar to Earth in:• Size - 7 526 miles in diameter • Density – 5.2 g/cm3

• Earth’s closest neighbor after the Moon

• Shrouded in thick clouds that are Impenetrable by visible light

• Venus’ atmosphere is 97% carbon dioxide

• The surface atmospheric pressure is 90 times that of Earth

Venus• Venus’ Surface

• Mapped by radar, not visual observation

• Surface Features• 80% of surface is subdued

plains that are mantled by volcanic flows

• Low density of impact craters• Tectonic deformation must

have been active during the recent geologic past

• Thousands of volcanic structures

Venus

Venus Radar Map of Surface

Venus

Video (Part 4)