The Solar System By Francesca Tonelli and Alessio Calandra

The Solar SystemThe Solar System

By Francesca Tonelli and Alessio CalandraBy Francesca Tonelli and Alessio Calandra

IntroductionIntroduction

In this presentation we will :In this presentation we will :-- explore the eight planets and their explore the eight planets and their

features.features.-- compare and contrast the similarities compare and contrast the similarities

and differences of the “inner” and and differences of the “inner” and “outer” planets.“outer” planets.

Let’s start with the SunLet’s start with the Sun

DiameterDiameter: 1.4 million kilometers: 1.4 million kilometers Contains 99.8% of the mass of the Contains 99.8% of the mass of the

solar systemsolar system The volume of the Sun could hold The volume of the Sun could hold

1 million Earths.1 million Earths.

CompositionComposition: 75% hydrogen, : 75% hydrogen, 25% helium25% helium

Surface TemperatureSurface Temperature: 5500 : 5500 ooCC

Core TemperatureCore Temperature: 15 million : 15 million degrees Celsiusdegrees Celsius

Rotates on its own axis once Rotates on its own axis once every 25.4 days at the equator.every 25.4 days at the equator.

Revolves around the center of the Revolves around the center of the Milky Way Galaxy once every 225 Milky Way Galaxy once every 225 million years.million years.

How about the planets?How about the planets?

The solar system is divided into two basic The solar system is divided into two basic groups. The inner and outer planets.groups. The inner and outer planets.

The inner planets lie inside of the asteroid belt The inner planets lie inside of the asteroid belt and consist of Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars.and consist of Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars.

They are four of the five smallest planets in the They are four of the five smallest planets in the solar system and are often called terrestrial solar system and are often called terrestrial planets because of their similarities with Earth.planets because of their similarities with Earth.

They have high densities because of heavy They have high densities because of heavy metal cores.metal cores.

MercuryMercury Mercury is the eighth largest Mercury is the eighth largest

planet (or second smallest) in the planet (or second smallest) in the Solar System. Solar System.

Mercury is a heavily cratered Mercury is a heavily cratered planet, composed of rock with a planet, composed of rock with a central iron core that is three-central iron core that is three-quarters of the diameter of the quarters of the diameter of the planet. Following the Earth, planet. Following the Earth, Mercury is the second densest Mercury is the second densest planet in the Solar System. planet in the Solar System.

Covered with thousands of Covered with thousands of craters, the surface of Mercury craters, the surface of Mercury closely resembles the Earth's closely resembles the Earth's Moon. Moon.

Mercury has few non-cratered Mercury has few non-cratered areas on the surface, with the areas on the surface, with the exception of the large flat area exception of the large flat area known as the Caloris Basin, and a known as the Caloris Basin, and a few other small areas.few other small areas.

More on MercuryMore on Mercury The surface temperature of The surface temperature of

Mercury is characterized by major Mercury is characterized by major fluctuations. The daytime side of fluctuations. The daytime side of the planet reaches over 400 the planet reaches over 400 degrees C , but on the night side degrees C , but on the night side the temperature falls to -170 the temperature falls to -170 degrees C. degrees C.

Mercury has no atmosphere and Mercury has no atmosphere and no known satellites. no known satellites.

Mercury was believed by the Mercury was believed by the Greeks to be two different stars. Greeks to be two different stars. Mercury's appearance in the Mercury's appearance in the morning was called Apollo, and its morning was called Apollo, and its evening appearance was referred evening appearance was referred to as Hermes. to as Hermes.

Position: Closest to Sun

Distance from Sun: 57,910,000 km

Mercury Day: 58.65 Earth Days

Mercury Year: 87.97 Earth Days

Orbital Speed: 47.8 km/sec

Eccentricity of Orbit: 0.206

Satellites: None

Diameter: 4,878 km

Mass: 3.30e23 kg

VenusVenus Venus is the sixth largest planet in Venus is the sixth largest planet in

the Solar System. the Solar System. Similar in size, density, and mass, Similar in size, density, and mass,

Venus and Earth often referred to Venus and Earth often referred to as sister planets. However the as sister planets. However the surface and atmosphere of the surface and atmosphere of the two planets are drastically two planets are drastically different. different.

The atmosphere of Venus is The atmosphere of Venus is primarily composed of carbon primarily composed of carbon dioxide and nitrogen, with traces dioxide and nitrogen, with traces of other gases and little to no of other gases and little to no water vapor. water vapor.

Venus would have a cold climate if Venus would have a cold climate if it weren't for the high it weren't for the high concentration of carbon dioxide in concentration of carbon dioxide in its atmosphere. its atmosphere.

In fact the surface temperature of In fact the surface temperature of Venus is over 480 degrees C.Venus is over 480 degrees C.

More about VenusMore about Venus

The clouds in Venus' atmosphere The clouds in Venus' atmosphere are composed of sulfuric acid are composed of sulfuric acid which causes the planet to reflect which causes the planet to reflect 65% of the sunlight that reaches it. 65% of the sunlight that reaches it.

The surface of Venus is very dry The surface of Venus is very dry with flat plains, highland regions, with flat plains, highland regions, and depressions. and depressions.

The interior of Venus is composed The interior of Venus is composed of a central iron core and a molten of a central iron core and a molten rocky mantle, similar to the rocky mantle, similar to the composition of Earth. composition of Earth.

Magellan Probe Computer Generated Surface Image

Venutian infoVenutian info

Position: Second from Sun

Distance from Sun: 108,200,000 km (.72 AU)

Venus Day: 243 Earth Days

Venus Year: 224.7 Earth Days

Orbital Speed: 35 km/sec


Satellites: None

Diameter: 12,100 km

Mass: 4.869e24 kg

Major Atmospheric Gas: Carbon Dioxide

The Third Planet - EarthThe Third Planet - Earth Diameter: 12.7 thousand Diameter: 12.7 thousand

kilometerskilometers Mass: 6.0 x 10Mass: 6.0 x 102424 kilograms or kilograms or

six sextillion metric tonssix sextillion metric tons Composition: water, silicon, Composition: water, silicon,

carbon, heavy metal iron-carbon, heavy metal iron-nickel corenickel core

Atmosphere: nitrogen, water Atmosphere: nitrogen, water vapor, oxygen, carbon dioxidevapor, oxygen, carbon dioxide

Surface Temperature: -13 – Surface Temperature: -13 – 3737ooCC

Called the “Blue Planet” Called the “Blue Planet” because of the color of because of the color of nitrogen in it’s atmosphere.nitrogen in it’s atmosphere.

More on the EarthMore on the Earth The Earth rotates on an axis that is tilted 23 The Earth rotates on an axis that is tilted 23 ½½ degrees relative to degrees relative to

the orbital or ecliptic plane. the orbital or ecliptic plane. It’s period of rotation is one day or 23 hours and 56 minutes.It’s period of rotation is one day or 23 hours and 56 minutes. The period of revolution around the Sun is a year or 365 and one-The period of revolution around the Sun is a year or 365 and one-

quarter days.quarter days.

Earth infoEarth info Earth is the fifth largest planet in Earth is the fifth largest planet in

the Solar System. the Solar System. The Earth is around 4.6 billion The Earth is around 4.6 billion

years old. years old. Earth is the only presently known Earth is the only presently known

planet in the Solar System to planet in the Solar System to support life. support life.

71% of Earth's surface is covered 71% of Earth's surface is covered in water. in water.

The Earth is the densest planet in The Earth is the densest planet in the Solar System. the Solar System.

The Earth has only one satellite, The Earth has only one satellite, the Moon. The Moon is the . The Moon is the second brightest object in the second brightest object in the sky. sky.

Position Third from the Sun


Earth Day: 24 hours

Earth Year: 365 Earth Days



Satellites: 1

Diameter: 12,756 km

Mass: 5.976e24 kg

Major Atmospheric Gas: Nitrogen

MoonMoon

The Moon is the only natural The Moon is the only natural satellite of the Earth, and the satellite of the Earth, and the fifth largest satellite in the fifth largest satellite in the Solar System. It is the Solar System. It is the largest natural satellite of a largest natural satellite of a planet in the Solar System planet in the Solar System compared to the size of the compared to the size of the other natural satellites.other natural satellites.

Red Planet - MarsRed Planet - Mars

Mars is the seventh largest Mars is the seventh largest planet in the Solar System. planet in the Solar System.

Known as the Red Planet, Known as the Red Planet, Mars is characterized by its Mars is characterized by its red, dusty landscape. red, dusty landscape.

In observation of Mars In observation of Mars seasonal changes and river seasonal changes and river channels on the surface, channels on the surface, many scientists hoped for a many scientists hoped for a possibility of Martian life.possibility of Martian life.

They speculated that the They speculated that the composition of Mars' was composition of Mars' was similar enough to Earth to similar enough to Earth to support life. However, the support life. However, the atmosphere on Mars is very atmosphere on Mars is very different than Earth's, with different than Earth's, with only small amounts of life only small amounts of life supporting oxygen and water.supporting oxygen and water.

More on MarsMore on Mars Temperatures on Mars vary from Temperatures on Mars vary from

a maximum of 0 degrees C to a maximum of 0 degrees C to minimum -100 degrees C .minimum -100 degrees C .

The terrain on Mars is complex The terrain on Mars is complex and varied, with deep canyons, and varied, with deep canyons, mountains, volcanoes, and mountains, volcanoes, and craters. Olympus Mons, the craters. Olympus Mons, the largest mountain in the Solar largest mountain in the Solar System, stands on Mars with an System, stands on Mars with an altitude of 24 km altitude of 24 km

Valles Marineris is a system of Valles Marineris is a system of canyons that stretch out over the canyons that stretch out over the surface of Mars for nearly 2,500 surface of Mars for nearly 2,500 miles.miles.

Position: Fourth from Sun


Mars Day: 24.6 Earth Hours

Mars Year: 686.98 Earth Days



Satellites: Two

Diameter: 6,794 km

Mass: 6.4219e23 kg

Major Atmospheric Gas: Carbon Dioxide

Mars’s storyMars’s story Mars was first visited by Mars was first visited by

the Mariner 4, in 1965, the Mariner 4, in 1965, which transmitted 22 which transmitted 22 pictures of the Martian pictures of the Martian surface back to Earth. surface back to Earth. The pictures revealed The pictures revealed that there was no water that there was no water or life on the cold or life on the cold surface, shattering hopes surface, shattering hopes to find life on Mars. There to find life on Mars. There has been no proof to date has been no proof to date that there was ever life that there was ever life on Mars. on Mars.

Mars is the god of war in Mars is the god of war in Roman mythology. Roman mythology.

Mars has two small Mars has two small satellites named Phobos satellites named Phobos and Deimos. and Deimos.

Mars Rover currently on Mars

Phobos and Deimos Phobos and Deimos

Mars has two relatively small natural Mars has two relatively small natural moons, Phobos and Deimos, which orbit moons, Phobos and Deimos, which orbit close to the planet. Asteroid capture is a close to the planet. Asteroid capture is a long-favored theory but their origin long-favored theory but their origin remains uncertain.remains uncertain.

A possibility is the involvement of a third A possibility is the involvement of a third body or some kind of impact disruption.body or some kind of impact disruption.

Phobos

Deimos

The Outer PlanetsThe Outer Planets

The outer planets consist of four gas The outer planets consist of four gas giants, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and giants, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and NeptuneNeptune

Finally Pluto that is recategorize in 2006 Finally Pluto that is recategorize in 2006 as a dwarf planet (is a celestial body in as a dwarf planet (is a celestial body in direct orbit of the Sun) ,Charon, Nix and direct orbit of the Sun) ,Charon, Nix and Hidra.Hidra.

Asteroid BeltAsteroid Belt

Asteroids are small Asteroids are small rocky objects that rocky objects that move in elliptical move in elliptical orbits in the asteroid orbits in the asteroid belt between the belt between the orbits of Mars and orbits of Mars and Jupiter. Jupiter.

Their average Their average distance from the distance from the Sun is about 2.9 Sun is about 2.9 astronomical units astronomical units (A.U.)(A.U.)

JupiterJupiter Jupiter is the largest Jupiter is the largest

planet in our solar planet in our solar system.system.

It has 62 moons.It has 62 moons. The largest four The largest four

were discovered by were discovered by Galilei Galileo. Galilei Galileo. Io, , Europa, , Ganymede and and Callisto

Jupiter is the fourth Jupiter is the fourth brightest object to brightest object to be seen in the sky. be seen in the sky.

Occasionally Mars Occasionally Mars will appear to be will appear to be brighter than Jupiter brighter than Jupiter in the Earth's sky. in the Earth's sky.

Io, Europa, Ganymede and Io, Europa, Ganymede and CallistoCallisto

Jupiter infoJupiter info Jupiter spins faster on its axis Jupiter spins faster on its axis

than any other planet in our solar than any other planet in our solar system. One day on Jupiter is 9.8 system. One day on Jupiter is 9.8 Earth hours Earth hours

Jupiter is a gas planet, composed Jupiter is a gas planet, composed largely of hydrogen and helium, largely of hydrogen and helium, with traces of methane, water with traces of methane, water vapor, and ammonia. The tops of vapor, and ammonia. The tops of the gas clouds in the atmosphere the gas clouds in the atmosphere make up the colorful texture on make up the colorful texture on Jupiter. Jupiter.

Jupiter, sometimes called Jove, Jupiter, sometimes called Jove, was the King of the gods in was the King of the gods in Roman mythology and the son of Roman mythology and the son of Saturn. Saturn.

Like Saturn, Jupiter has rings, Like Saturn, Jupiter has rings, though they are much smaller, though they are much smaller, fainter, and darker.fainter, and darker.

Position: Fifth from Sun


Jupiter Day: 9.8 Earth Hours

Jupiter Year: 11.9 Earth Years



Satellites: 16 (plus Rings)

Equatorial Diameter: 142,984 km

Polar Diameter: 133,708 km

Mass: 1.900e27 kg

Major Atmospheric Gas: Hydrogen

SaturnSaturn

Saturn is the sixth planet from Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun and the second the Sun and the second largest. largest.

Saturn is flattened at the poles, Saturn is flattened at the poles, due to a fast rotation on its due to a fast rotation on its axis. axis.

Galileo discovered Saturn in Galileo discovered Saturn in 1610, and was confused by its 1610, and was confused by its strange appearance in his strange appearance in his telescope. telescope.

Saturn is a gas planet, like Saturn is a gas planet, like Jupiter, and is large enough Jupiter, and is large enough and far enough away from the and far enough away from the Sun to retain its original Sun to retain its original primitive gases. primitive gases.

Saturn infoSaturn info Saturn is the only planet in our Saturn is the only planet in our

solar system that is less dense solar system that is less dense that water. that water.

Saturn is well known for it's Saturn is well known for it's beautiful ring system.The ring beautiful ring system.The ring system is divided into various system is divided into various parts, including rings and gaps. parts, including rings and gaps. The bright A and B rings are The bright A and B rings are separated by a large gap called separated by a large gap called the Cassini Division. Radial the Cassini Division. Radial "spokes" composed of fine "spokes" composed of fine particles, about the size of dust particles, about the size of dust specks, were found in the B-specks, were found in the B-Ring by the Voyager. Ring by the Voyager.

Saturn was the god of Saturn was the god of agriculture in Roman mythology. agriculture in Roman mythology. Saturn is also the father of Saturn is also the father of Jupiter, the king of the Roman Jupiter, the king of the Roman gods. gods.

Position: Sixth from Sun

Distance from Sun: 1,427 million km

Saturn Day: 10 hours, 14 minutes

Saturn Year: 29.5 Earth Years



Satellites: 18 (plus rings)

Equatorial Diameter: 120,536 km

Polar Diameter: 108,728 km

Mass: 5.688e26 kg


UranusUranus The atmosphere of Uranus The atmosphere of Uranus

is composed of hydrogen, is composed of hydrogen, helium, and methane. The helium, and methane. The methane in the atmosphere methane in the atmosphere absorbs red light, giving the absorbs red light, giving the planet a blue-green color.planet a blue-green color.

Like Venus, Uranus spins Like Venus, Uranus spins from east to west, which is from east to west, which is opposite from the spin of opposite from the spin of Earth. Earth.

Uranus infoUranus info Uranus has rings that are Uranus has rings that are

composed of fine dust, rocks, composed of fine dust, rocks, and ice boulders. The rings are and ice boulders. The rings are very faint.. very faint..

Uranus is named after the Uranus is named after the Greek god of the sky. Uranus Greek god of the sky. Uranus was the husband of Gaia, the was the husband of Gaia, the goddess of the Earth. goddess of the Earth.

Position: Seventh from Sun

Distance from Sun: 2,870,990,000 km

Uranus Day: .72 Earth Days

Uranus Year: 84.01 Earth Years




Diameter: 51,800 km

Mass: 8.686e25 kg


NeptuneNeptune Neptune is the fourth Neptune is the fourth

largest planet in the largest planet in the Solar System. Solar System.

Neptune is a gas planet, Neptune is a gas planet, composed of hydrogen, composed of hydrogen, helium, methane, with helium, methane, with traces of ammonia and traces of ammonia and water. water.

The blue color of the The blue color of the planet is due to the planet is due to the absorption of red light by absorption of red light by methane in the methane in the atmosphere. atmosphere.

Neptune infoNeptune info Neptune has actually been the Neptune has actually been the

most distant planet from the sun most distant planet from the sun since 1979 to 1999, due the fact since 1979 to 1999, due the fact that Pluto's orbit is highly that Pluto's orbit is highly eccentric. Pluto is now the most eccentric. Pluto is now the most distant planet from Sun the distant planet from Sun the again. again.

Neptune has the stronger winds Neptune has the stronger winds than any other planet in the than any other planet in the Solar System. Solar System.

"The Scooter" is a cloud that "The Scooter" is a cloud that moves around Neptune about moves around Neptune about every 16 hours. every 16 hours.

Neptune is the god of the sea in Neptune is the god of the sea in Roman Mythology. Roman Mythology.

Position: Eighth from Sun

Distance from Sun:

30.06 AU

Neptune Day: 0.75 Earth Days

Neptune Year: 164.83 Earth Years


Eccentricity of Orbit:

0.0097


Diameter: 49,528 km

Mass: 1.0247e26 kg

Major Atmospheric Gas:

Hydrogen

Pluto,Charon, Nix and HidraPluto,Charon, Nix and Hidra

Pluto, is the largest known object in the Kuiper belt. When Pluto, is the largest known object in the Kuiper belt. When discovered in 1930, it was considered to be the ninth planet; discovered in 1930, it was considered to be the ninth planet; this changed in 2006 with the adoption of a formal definition this changed in 2006 with the adoption of a formal definition of planet. of planet.

Charon, Pluto's largest moon, is sometimes described as Charon, Pluto's largest moon, is sometimes described as part of a binary system with Pluto, as the two bodies orbit a part of a binary system with Pluto, as the two bodies orbit a barycenter of gravity above their surfaces.barycenter of gravity above their surfaces.

Beyond Charon, three much smaller moons, Nix, and Hydra, Beyond Charon, three much smaller moons, Nix, and Hydra, orbit within the system.orbit within the system.

THE END!THE END!

Documents

The Solar System By Francesca Tonelli and Alessio Calandra