Our Solar System•Composed of 8 planets, their moons, various comets, asteroids & other objects that revolve around a star•A planet is a large space object that moves in a curved path around a star.•The solar system contains large clouds of dust and gas.

The study of the universe or outer space is called Astronomy.

http://youtu.be/svvwv5oAf4I4 min

Inner Planets – Mercury, Venus, Earth & Mars•Closest to the Sun•Terrestrial – hard, rocky surfaces•small

Outer Planets – Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus & Neptune•Farthest from the Sun•Ice and Gas Giants•All have rings and many moons

http://youtu.be/YFsB8KKlP4I8 min

http://youtu.be/43SHCRv4wdw8 min

Moons•A moon is a natural object that revolves around a planet.•Satellite•Mercury & Venus have no moons.•Most moons are made of solid material.

Callisto – one of Jupiter’sIo – one of Jupiter’s

Miranda – one of Uranus’s

http://youtu.be/vU5_aYlaXa8Moons in out Solar System - 4 min

Asteroids•Large pieces of space rock with irregular shapes•??Left over material from the formation of the solar system•Most are found in the asteroid belt between Mars & Jupiter.•They can collide with objects creating huge craters.

http://youtu.be/MO2LFSifklE2 min Vesta – large asteroid

Comets•Space bodies made up of ice, dust and small, gritty particles (dirty snowballs)•The ice turns to gas, producing a streak called the tail.•The comet’s tail always points away from the Sun.•Most comets come from the Oort cloud, which is located at the outer edge of our solar system.

http://youtu.be/4nH_mAObnZc2 min. Halley’s Comet

http://youtu.be/rsTE6pV4wpUWhat are Comets? 3 min.

Meteoroids•Pieces of rock or dust that are smaller than asteroids•When entering the Earth’s atmosphere, they usually burn up & produce streaks of light – meteors – shooting stars.•Those that land on the Earth’s surface are called meteorites.

•In space – meteoroids – with the asteroids•In our atmosphere – meteors – burning up•On the land – meteorites – all right

http://youtu.be/kAJHVII3_-02 min – Difference between M, A & Comets

Rotation•The movement of a space object turning on its axis.

Period of rotation – the amount of time it takes for an object to rotate once

Revolution•The movement of a body in space around another body•Orbit – the path of a body in space revolving around another body

Mercury•Inner planet•Closest to the Sun•Terrestrial – solid & rocky•Smallest planet•Slow rotation•Fast revolution•No water•Thin atmosphere•No moons

God of Speed

1

Venus•Inner planet•Terrestrial•Hottest planet•Earth’s twin (about the same size)•No moon•Thick atmosphere (CO²) traps the heat from the Sun

Goddess of Love

2

Earth•Inner planet•Terrestrial•3rd rock from the Sun•Only planet that supports life•75% covered with water 3

Goddess of Earth – Terra Mater

Mars•Inner planet•Terrestrial•Thin atmosphere•“Red Planet” – due to the red soil & rocks (iron oxide)•Largest volcano in the solar system – Olympus Mons•2 moons – Phobos & Deimos•Most studied planet (besides Earth) in the solar system

God of War

4

Asteroid Belt•Found between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter

Jupiter•Outer planet – Gas Giants•Largest planet•Mostly hydrogen & helium•Does not have solid surface•Rotates very fast•Thin set of rings •66 moons•Large red spot – huge storm

God of Sky & Thunder

5

Saturn•Outer planet – gas giant•2nd largest planet•Largest system of rings•62 moons – Titan (largest)•Jewel of the Solar System

Roman God for Farming

6

Uranus•Outer planet – Gas Giant•Very cold•Tipped over on its side•Has rings and many moons•Retrograde rotation

God of the Sky

7

Neptune•Outer planet – Gas Giant•Most distant from the Sun•165 years for one revolution around the Sun•Has rings and many moons •Triton, largest moon, revolves backward/retrograde

God of the water and sea

8

Pluto•Dwarf planet•Half the size of Mercury•Made of ice and rock•Thin atmosphere•4 moons

God of the Underworld

Created by M. Brumbaugh2012 – TCMS

http://youtu.be/Xwjg1oX5pD48 min. Solar System’s 10 Most incredible Moons

http://youtu.be/Y2ijS8jY4F46 min. What is out Solar System?

http://youtu.be/nQfJ7j2UGGkPlanets Around a Star SONG – 4 minMr. Parr

http://youtu.be/ZTW1wuQcyPo5 min – 2013 – The Year of the Comets