Know about JupiterKnow about SaturnKnow about UranusKnow about Neptune The Outer Planets

Unit 2, Chapter 4, Lesson 4: Understanding Orbits

Jupiters Composition and OrbitJupiter is the Solar Systems largest planet318 times the mass of Earth Volume is 1,400 times that of Earth Takes nearly 12 Earth years to cycle around the Sun Atmosphere is 90% hydrogen and 10% helium, with small amounts of methane, ammonia and water vapor

Jupiters Rotation Light- and dark-colored bands parallel to its equator The phenomenon of different parts of a planet having different periods of rotation is known as differential rotationJupiter is somewhat oblate, or flattened at the poles; this is an effect of Jupiters swift rotation

Saturns CompositionSlightly smaller in diameter than Jupiter Only half as dense 0.7 the density of water Has a less dense core and less liquid metallic hydrogen than Jupiter does

Saturns Speed of Rotation and Solar Orbit 29.5 Earth years to orbit the Sun Rotates on its axis in 10 hours, 39 minutes Saturns rings are in the plane of its equator comprised largely of rock and debris Tilts 27 degrees with respect to its orbital plane

Titan, Saturns Largest Moon Largest of more than 60 moons Second largest in the Solar SystemData from Huygens probe suggest that at one point, Titan had an atmosphere five times as dense as it is today

What Led Herschel to Discover the Planet Uranus Object did not appear as a point of light, as stars do It movedThat suggested a different kind of celestial object

The Motion of Uranus and the Tilt of Its Equatorial Plane Takes 84 Earth years to orbit the Sun Axis is tilted 90 degrees to its orbital plane The poles alternate between 42 years of sunlight and 42 years of darkness

How Uranuss Moons Act as Shepherds for the Particles of Its Ring First reliable determination of Uranuss diameter used an occultation the passing of one astronomical object in front of anotherInner moon will orbit faster than the rings particles

Neptunes Wind Speeds and Differential Rotation Experiences differential rotation to an extreme degree Magnetic field rotates every 16 hours and seven minutes Strong winds and storm systems suggest that Neptune has an annual cycle of seasons

The Unusual Orbits of Neptunes Two Major Moons Triton revolves clockwise around its planet Nereid has the most eccentric orbit Triton

Know about JupiterKnow about SaturnKnow about UranusKnow about Neptune The Outer Planets

Unit 2, Chapter 4, Lesson 4: Understanding Orbits

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