The Sun

The Sun

• The star closest to the planet Earth.

• A medium size star that gives us heat and light.

• The diameter is 109 times the diameter of Earth.

The Eight Planets

Mercury

Mercury

• Closest planet to the sun.

• A small, rocky planet that looks like our moon.

• Covered with millions of craters.

• No moons.

Venus

Venus

• Sometimes called the “Evening Star.”

• The hottest planet.• Has the longest day.• Spins in the opposite

direction of the other planets.

• The clouds and rain are filled with sulfuric acid.

• No moons.

Earth

Earth

• The only planet to have liquid water on the surface.

• The only known planet to support life.

• Surrounded by a thick atmosphere of gases.

• One moon.

Earth’s Moon

Earth’s Moon

• Earth’s only natural satellite.

• The only space body on which man has walked.

Mars

Mars

• The surface is covered with iron; giving it a red color.

• Has the highest mountain in the solar system.

• The polar caps have layers of ice covering them.

• Two moons.

Asteroid Belt

Asteroid Belt

• Pieces of rock and metal that orbit between the planets Mars and Jupiter.

Jupiter

Jupiter

• The largest planet.• The shortest day.• Famous for its giant

red spot which is a large storm.

• At least 16 moons.• One ring.

Saturn

Saturn

• A large gas giant with beautiful rings.

• Has more moons (24) than any other planet.

• It is extremely large but so light it could float in water.

Uranus

Uranus

• I am a large gas giant tipped over on my side.

• A beautiful, featureless blue planet.

• Has a small hot rocky center and an ice surface.

• At least 11 rings.• At least 15 moons.

Neptune

Neptune

• A large gas giant, the twin of Uranus.

• One of its moons, Triton, travels backwards around the planet.

• Two moons.

Comet

Comet

• A frozen chunk of ice and dust that travels in a long, narrow orbit around the sun.

• When a comet moves closer to the sun, some of its ice turns into gas.

• A comet’s tail can be millions of kilometers long.