Comparing Planets

Exploring the Planets

A journey through the inner and outer worlds of celestial bodies.

Inner and Outer Planets

• Inner Planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars
• Outer Planets: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
• Terrestrial Planets: Solid surfaces, different environments
• Gas Giants: Further away, larger, made up of gas

Terrestrial Planets

Terrestrial planets are a type of planet that have solid surfaces and different environments. They are also known as rocky planets. Examples of terrestrial planets in our solar system include Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. These planets are closer to the Sun and have a higher density compared to the outer gas giants. They have diverse features such as mountains, valleys, and even atmospheres.

Multiple Choice

What is the order of the inner planets from closest to furthest from the Sun?

• Mars, Earth, Venus, Mercury

• Earth, Mars, Venus, Mercury

• Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars

• Venus, Mercury, Earth, Mars

Multiple Choice

Which type of planets have solid surfaces and different environments?

• Inner Planets

• Outer Planets

• Terrestrial Planets

• Gas Giants

Exploring the Planets

• Mercury: The smallest planet in our Solar System, closest to the Sun. No moons, tenuous atmosphere.
• Venus: Once considered Earth's twin, extremely hot surface, thick atmosphere.
• Earth: Only known planet with life, nitrogen and oxygen atmosphere, one moon.

Venus: Earth's Twin

Venus is often referred to as Earth's twin because of its similar size, mass, and composition. However, it has a harsh environment with extreme temperatures and a thick atmosphere of carbon dioxide. It is also the hottest planet in our solar system, with surface temperatures hot enough to melt lead. Venus is named after the Roman goddess of love and beauty.

Multiple Choice

Which planet is considered Earth's twin?

• Mercury

• Venus

• Earth

• Mars

Exploring the Planets

• Mars: Intense study due to signs of past liquid water. Atmosphere: carbon dioxide, nitrogen, argon. 2 moons, no rings. Mars day > 24 Earth hours. Takes 687 Earth days to orbit the Sun.

Mars: The Red Planet

Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun and is known as the Red Planet. Its atmosphere consists of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and argon. Mars has the tallest volcano and the deepest, longest canyon in the solar system. It is also the most likely planet for future human colonization.

Multiple Choice

Which planet has an atmosphere consisting of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and argon?

• Mars

• Jupiter

• Saturn

• Uranus

Exploring the Planets

• Outer Planets: Gas giants with rings and moons. Visible without telescopes: Jupiter, Saturn. Uranus and Neptune discovered later. Jupiter: largest planet, spins rapidly, hydrogen and helium atmosphere, dozens of moons.

• Jupiter: Known for its Great Red Spot, Juno spacecraft will visit in 2016.

• Saturn: Famous for its ring system, Cassini spacecraft is currently exploring it.

• Uranus: Discovered by Herschel, Voyager 2 visited in 1986.

• Neptune: Voyager 2 explored this distant planet in 1989.

Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune

Multiple Choice

What is the order of the outer planets from closest to furthest from the Sun?

• Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune

• Neptune, Saturn, Jupiter, Uranus

• Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Jupiter

• Jupiter, Neptune, Saturn, Uranus

Multiple Select

What are the two largest planets? Choose two answers.

• Mercury

• Jupiter

• Earth

• Neptune

• Saturn

Voyager 2

Voyager 2 is the spacecraft that explored Neptune in 1989. It provided us with stunning images and valuable data about the planet and its moons. Voyager 2 is the only spacecraft to have visited Uranus and Neptune, making it a true pioneer in outer space exploration. Its mission continues as it ventures into interstellar space, carrying a golden record with sounds and images representing Earth's diversity.

Multiple Choice

Which spacecraft explored Neptune in 1989?

• Juno

• Cassini

• Voyager 1

• Voyager 2

Multiple Choice

 

How do the sizes of the inner planets compare to the outer planets? 

• They are all the same size.

• The outer planets are larger than the inner planets

• The inner planets are larger than the outer planets

• The outer planets are smaller than the inner planets

Multiple Choice

Put the planets in order by their distance from the Sun starting with the closest planet first.

• Mercury, Venus, Mars, Earth, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
• Venus, Mercury, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
• Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
• Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Saturn, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune