A Family of Planets

Carin Miranda

Smyrna Middle School

Winter 2014

Planets in order from the Sun

Mercury Venus Earth Mars

Jupiter Saturn Uranus

Neptune

Inner Solar System Terrestrial Planets- group of planets

whose surfaces are hard and rocky. Contains the 4 planets located closest

to the sun. Called terrestrial because they

resemble Earth. (Rocky and Hard). The inner planets are spaced closely

together.

Outer Solar System Outer Solar System-Contains the 4

planets farthest from the sun. Gas Giants-group of very large planets

that are composed mainly of gases. All have rings and all have moons

Mercury Closest to the Sun No natural satellites (moons)

Venus Has the hottest surface temperature

because it is surrounded by greenhouses gases.

No natural satellites (moons).

Earth Only planet known to contain life as

we know it. Liquid water on its surface makes life

on Earth possible. Uh we live here.

Mars Once had liquid water on it we know

that because it has features that resemble dry riverbeds.

Jupiter Largest planet in our solar system. Has a huge storm on it called the

Great Red Spot.

Saturn Well known bright ring system.

Uranus Tipped on its side

Neptune Has a storm system called the Great

Dark Spot.

Small Bodies in the Solar System

Comets-dirty snowballs made of ice, rock, and dust.

Asteroids-small rocky body that orbits the sun. Asteroid belt-between Mars and Jupiter Meteoroids-small rocky body that travels through

space. (smaller than asteroids) Meteor-bright streak of light caused by small

bodies burning up in the atmosphere Meteorite-rocky body that strikes the Earth’s

surface.