Solar System Webquest

By: Curtis Xuan

Revolution and RotationRevolution and Rotation

Revolve: the action of smaller Revolve: the action of smaller object circling around a larger object circling around a larger object in a pathobject in a path

Rotate: the action of a small Rotate: the action of a small object spinning and turning object spinning and turning around by itselfaround by itself

8 Known Planets8 Known Planets Inner planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, and MarsInner planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars Outer planets: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Outer planets: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and

NeptuneNeptune The difference between outer planets and inner The difference between outer planets and inner

planets is that the distance from the Sun to outer planets is that the distance from the Sun to outer planets is longer than the distance from sun to planets is longer than the distance from sun to inner planetsinner planets

There are more craters found on inner planets There are more craters found on inner planets than the outer planets because outer planets than the outer planets because outer planets have rings. Also, the Sun has a lot of gravity that have rings. Also, the Sun has a lot of gravity that keeps the asteroids and meteorites revolving keeps the asteroids and meteorites revolving around.around.

Dwarf Planets (Not Dwarf Planets (Not Planets)Planets)

Orbit: a path that is certain and followed by Orbit: a path that is certain and followed by satellitessatellites

Three requirements of being a planet:Three requirements of being a planet:1. Need to orbit around the Sun1. Need to orbit around the Sun2. Have enough mass to become round2. Have enough mass to become round3. Cleared out its path of orbit around Sun3. Cleared out its path of orbit around Sun

Dwarf planets are not considered planets because Dwarf planets are not considered planets because they don’t meet the requirements of being a they don’t meet the requirements of being a planetplanet

Three Dwarf Planets:Three Dwarf Planets:1. Pluto1. Pluto2. Ceres2. Ceres3. Eris3. Eris

MercuryMercury

Mercury’s temperature (extremely hot Mercury’s temperature (extremely hot and cold) effected on its atmosphereand cold) effected on its atmosphere

Mercury is consisted of helium and Mercury is consisted of helium and sodiumsodium

Three processes that shaped Mercury:Three processes that shaped Mercury:

1. Large objects struck Mercury1. Large objects struck Mercury

2. Lava flooded the surface on 2. Lava flooded the surface on MercuryMercury

3. Planet’s crust moved to adjust3. Planet’s crust moved to adjust

VenusVenus

Venus is called the “Evening Star” because it’s the Venus is called the “Evening Star” because it’s the brightest planet we see on Earthbrightest planet we see on Earth

Consisted of Carbon Dioxide and Sulfuric acid, Consisted of Carbon Dioxide and Sulfuric acid, which acts as heaterwhich acts as heater

Retrograde Rotation means that it’s the opposite of Retrograde Rotation means that it’s the opposite of the others (spins clockwise)the others (spins clockwise)

A day on Venus is 243 Earth days and a year on A day on Venus is 243 Earth days and a year on Venus is 225 Earth daysVenus is 225 Earth days

Sun appear to rise in the west and set in the east Sun appear to rise in the west and set in the east because it has retrograde rotationbecause it has retrograde rotation

Venus is the hottest planet because of the Venus is the hottest planet because of the atmosphere, which traps heatatmosphere, which traps heat

EarthEarth

Earth is consisted of nitrogen, oxygen, Earth is consisted of nitrogen, oxygen, water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, etcetc

These elements prevent us from These elements prevent us from harmful solar radiationharmful solar radiation

The Earth is tilted at 23.5° angleThe Earth is tilted at 23.5° angle The Earth’s spinning speed and liquid The Earth’s spinning speed and liquid

caused the magnetic fieldcaused the magnetic field Moon is satellite of EarthMoon is satellite of Earth

MarsMars

Scientists found bacteria on meteorites Scientists found bacteria on meteorites from Mars, so it’s a sign of lifefrom Mars, so it’s a sign of life

The primary element of atmosphere is The primary element of atmosphere is carbon dioxidecarbon dioxide

Mars’s appearance is red because of ironMars’s appearance is red because of iron Olympus Mons is the highest mountain in Olympus Mons is the highest mountain in

the solar systemthe solar system Two satellites on Mars are Phobos and Two satellites on Mars are Phobos and

DeimosDeimos

JupiterJupiter

Fast spinning speed caused Jupiter to have Fast spinning speed caused Jupiter to have a wide equator and flat polesa wide equator and flat poles

Jupiter is consisted of hydrogen, helium, Jupiter is consisted of hydrogen, helium, sulfur, and nitrogensulfur, and nitrogen

The Giant Red Spot is a storm that looks The Giant Red Spot is a storm that looks like Jupiter we saw when Jupiter was first like Jupiter we saw when Jupiter was first discovereddiscovered

63 satellites have been discovered63 satellites have been discovered A moon on Jupiter, lo’s surface is higher A moon on Jupiter, lo’s surface is higher

than any other planets’ surface in Universethan any other planets’ surface in Universe

SaturnSaturn

Atmosphere are made out of Hydrogen andAtmosphere are made out of Hydrogen andHeliumHelium

Rings are caused by the breakup of old moonsRings are caused by the breakup of old moons Rings are composed of water, ice, and dustRings are composed of water, ice, and dust Saturn could even float on water since it’s Saturn could even float on water since it’s

really light!really light! Seasons on Saturn last 30 times longer than Seasons on Saturn last 30 times longer than

seasons on earth.seasons on earth.

UranusUranus

Uranus rotates on its sideUranus rotates on its side Atmosphere are made out of Atmosphere are made out of

Hydrogen, Helium, and MethaneHydrogen, Helium, and Methane Uranus have 27 known satellitesUranus have 27 known satellites

NeptuneNeptune

Atmosphere is consisted of Atmosphere is consisted of Ammonia, Helium, and MethaneAmmonia, Helium, and Methane

Neptune has 13 known satellitesNeptune has 13 known satellites Triton might originally be a dwarf Triton might originally be a dwarf

planet, or moon of Uranus or Pluto. planet, or moon of Uranus or Pluto. It probably got sucked into It probably got sucked into Neptune's gravitational pullNeptune's gravitational pull

Dwarf PlanetsDwarf Planets

PlutoPluto CeresCeres ErisEris

PlutoPluto

The names of Pluto’s moons are The names of Pluto’s moons are Charon, Nix, and HydraCharon, Nix, and Hydra

Scientists found methane frost on Scientists found methane frost on Pluto and water frost on Charon by Pluto and water frost on Charon by using spectroscopeusing spectroscope

CeresCeres

A whole revolution on Ceres is 4.6 A whole revolution on Ceres is 4.6 Earth YearsEarth Years

It was once considered asteroids It was once considered asteroids because it was among lots of thembecause it was among lots of them

Surface on Ceres includes water, ice, Surface on Ceres includes water, ice, carbonates, and clayscarbonates, and clays

ErisEris

Eris’s original name is XenaEris’s original name is Xena A whole revolution is 557 Earth A whole revolution is 557 Earth

yearsyears The moon of Eris is called DysnomiaThe moon of Eris is called Dysnomia Eris is not considered a planet Eris is not considered a planet

because its orbit isn’t clearedbecause its orbit isn’t cleared