The Solar The Solar SystemSystem

The Solar SystemThe Solar System

A huge rotating system consisting of the A huge rotating system consisting of the Sun, eight planets and their satellites, Sun, eight planets and their satellites, dwarf planets, asteroids, comets, and dwarf planets, asteroids, comets, and meteorsmeteors

Astronomers use the Astronomers use the Nebular TheoryNebular Theory to to explain the formation of our solar explain the formation of our solar systemsystem

The Nebular TheoryThe Nebular Theory According to the nebular theory, our solar system According to the nebular theory, our solar system

began as a great cloud of dust and frozen gasesbegan as a great cloud of dust and frozen gases About 5 billion years ago this rotating cloud, About 5 billion years ago this rotating cloud,

known as a solar nebula, began to contractknown as a solar nebula, began to contract As the nebula contracted, it spun faster and As the nebula contracted, it spun faster and

flattened itself into a disk shaped cloudflattened itself into a disk shaped cloud Compression of the matter in the center of the Compression of the matter in the center of the

cloud ignited the hydrogen located there, forming cloud ignited the hydrogen located there, forming the Sunthe Sun

Gas and dust in the outer parts of the disk Gas and dust in the outer parts of the disk formed small asteroid like bodies called formed small asteroid like bodies called planetesimals. As these planetesimals collided, planetesimals. As these planetesimals collided, they grew larger, forming the planetsthey grew larger, forming the planets

The SunThe Sun The Sun accounts for 99.8% of the Solar The Sun accounts for 99.8% of the Solar

System’s total massSystem’s total mass Due to its mass, the Sun exerts a powerful Due to its mass, the Sun exerts a powerful

gravitational forcegravitational forceForce decreases rapidly with Force decreases rapidly with

distancedistanceForce strong enough to keep Force strong enough to keep

the planets and other distant the planets and other distant

object orbiting around the Sunobject orbiting around the Sun

The Sun’s InteriorThe Sun’s Interior The Sun is a glowing ball of gas that has an The Sun is a glowing ball of gas that has an

interior and an atmosphere, but no solid surface interior and an atmosphere, but no solid surface The Sun’s interior consists of the core, the The Sun’s interior consists of the core, the

radiation zone, and the convection zoneradiation zone, and the convection zone Core- the central region of the Sun, where nuclear fusion the central region of the Sun, where nuclear fusion

takes placetakes place Radiation Zone- a region of tightly packed gas where

energy is transferred in the form of

electromagnetic radiation Convection Zone- outer most layer of the

Sun’s interior

The Sun’s AtmosphereThe Sun’s Atmosphere The Sun’s atmosphere includes the The Sun’s atmosphere includes the

photosphere, the chromosphere, and the coronaphotosphere, the chromosphere, and the coronaPhotosphere- the inner layer of the Sun’s

atmosphere that gives off visible lightChromosphere- middle layer of the Sun’s

atmosphereCorona- outer layer of the Sun’s atmosphere

Forms a halo around the Sun that’s

seen during an eclipseThins to form a stream of charged

particles called the solar winds

Features on the SunFeatures on the Sun

Features on, or just above the sun’s surface Features on, or just above the sun’s surface include sunspots, prominences, and solar include sunspots, prominences, and solar flaresflares Sunspots- areas of gas on the Sun’s surface that are - areas of gas on the Sun’s surface that are

cooler and darker than the gases around themcooler and darker than the gases around them Prominences- huge, reddish loops of gas that - huge, reddish loops of gas that

protrude from the Sun’s surface, linking parts of protrude from the Sun’s surface, linking parts of sunspot regionssunspot regions

Solar Flares- Eruptions of gas from the Sun’s surface Eruptions of gas from the Sun’s surface that are produce when loops from sunspot activity that are produce when loops from sunspot activity suddenly connectsuddenly connect

The Planets in the Solar SystemThe Planets in the Solar System The eight planets in the The eight planets in the

Solar System, named in Solar System, named in order of increasing order of increasing distance from the Sun distance from the Sun are: Mercury, Venus, are: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, & Saturn, Uranus, & NeptuneNeptune

Astronomers use Astronomers use

various criteria to various criteria to

group the planetsgroup the planets

Inner vs. Outer PlanetsInner vs. Outer Planets

The asteroid belt is used as a dividing line The asteroid belt is used as a dividing line to separate the planets into two groupsto separate the planets into two groups

The inner planets-The inner planets- Mercury, Venus, Earth Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars (located between the Sun & the and Mars (located between the Sun & the asteroid belt)asteroid belt)

The outer planets-The outer planets- Jupiter, Saturn, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune (located beyond the Uranus, and Neptune (located beyond the asteroid belt)asteroid belt)

Terrestrial vs. Jovian PlanetsTerrestrial vs. Jovian Planets

Terrestrial Planets-Terrestrial Planets- Planets that are Earth- Planets that are Earth-like, in that they have a solid, rocky surface like, in that they have a solid, rocky surface

Mercury, Venus, Earth, and MarsMercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars

Jovian Planets-Jovian Planets- Planets that are Jupiter-Planets that are Jupiter-like, in that they have thick gaseous like, in that they have thick gaseous atmospheres that surround layers of liquid atmospheres that surround layers of liquid hydrogen and helium, and small rock and hydrogen and helium, and small rock and iron cores iron cores

Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and NeptuneJupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune

Why the Inner & Outer Planets DifferWhy the Inner & Outer Planets Differ

When the Solar System formed, When the Solar System formed, temperatures were so high that most water temperatures were so high that most water and ice forming materials vaporizedand ice forming materials vaporized

The gravitational force of the inner planets The gravitational force of the inner planets wasn’t strong enough to capture most of wasn’t strong enough to capture most of the escaping hydrogen and helium gasthe escaping hydrogen and helium gas

The outer planets, being in a cooler The outer planets, being in a cooler region, were able to grow in mass and region, were able to grow in mass and capture much of the escaping gasescapture much of the escaping gases

Rotation vs. RevolutionRotation vs. Revolution

Rotation-Rotation- The time it takes an object to The time it takes an object to spin once on it’s axis (a day on the planet)spin once on it’s axis (a day on the planet)

Revolution-Revolution- The time it takes to orbit The time it takes to orbit another body in space ( a year on a another body in space ( a year on a planet)planet)

Orbital MotionOrbital MotionA combination of inertia and gravity keep A combination of inertia and gravity keep

the planets in orbit around the Sunthe planets in orbit around the SunDue to inertia, the planets want to move in a Due to inertia, the planets want to move in a

straight line which would take them away from straight line which would take them away from the Sunthe Sun

The Sun’s gravity pulls the planets toward itThe Sun’s gravity pulls the planets toward itThe planets closer to the Sun orbit at a The planets closer to the Sun orbit at a

faster rate and have a shorter period of faster rate and have a shorter period of revolution than those farther away revolution than those farther away

MercuryMercury

Closest planet to the Sun with an avg. Closest planet to the Sun with an avg. distance = 58 million Kmdistance = 58 million Km

Smallest PlanetSmallest Planet Heavily cratered rocky surfaceHeavily cratered rocky surface (Looks like the moon)(Looks like the moon) Has almost no atmosphere or weatherHas almost no atmosphere or weather Wide range of temperatures due to its Wide range of temperatures due to its slow rotation (-170slow rotation (-170°C°C to 430 to 430°C)°C) Period of rotation = 59 days 16 hoursPeriod of rotation = 59 days 16 hours Period of revolution = 88 daysPeriod of revolution = 88 days No moons or ringsNo moons or rings

VenusVenus Avg. distance from the Sun = 108 million KmAvg. distance from the Sun = 108 million Km Known as “Earth’s twin” due to its similar size, Known as “Earth’s twin” due to its similar size,

mass, density, and internal structuremass, density, and internal structure Rocky surface featuring canyons, craters, plains, & Rocky surface featuring canyons, craters, plains, &

volcanic mountainsvolcanic mountains The toxic atmosphere, composed of COThe toxic atmosphere, composed of CO22 and and

droplets of sulfuric acid, is 90% heavier than Earth’sdroplets of sulfuric acid, is 90% heavier than Earth’s The greenhouse effect produces an extremely high The greenhouse effect produces an extremely high

surface temperature (460surface temperature (460°C)°C) Period of rotation = 243 days (retrograde)Period of rotation = 243 days (retrograde) Period of revolution = 225 daysPeriod of revolution = 225 days No moons or rings No moons or rings

EarthEarth

Avg. distance from the Sun = 150 million Avg. distance from the Sun = 150 million KmKm

Rocky surface, 70% of which is covered by Rocky surface, 70% of which is covered by water water

Only planet that has water in all three statesOnly planet that has water in all three states Atmosphere composed primarily of nitrogen Atmosphere composed primarily of nitrogen

and oxygenand oxygen Surface temperatures range from -90Surface temperatures range from -90°C to °C to

58°C58°C Period of rotation = 24 hoursPeriod of rotation = 24 hours Period of revolution = 365 ¼ daysPeriod of revolution = 365 ¼ days One moon, no ringsOne moon, no rings

MarsMars Avg. distance from the Sun = 228 million KmAvg. distance from the Sun = 228 million Km About half the size of EarthAbout half the size of Earth Red colored surface is rocky, heavily cratered, Red colored surface is rocky, heavily cratered,

and features lava covered plains, deep canyons, and features lava covered plains, deep canyons, huge inactive volcanoes, polar ice caps, and huge inactive volcanoes, polar ice caps, and shows evidence of once flowing watershows evidence of once flowing water

Thin atmosphere composed mostly of COThin atmosphere composed mostly of CO2 2 ,with ,with small amounts of nitrogen, argon, oxygen, and small amounts of nitrogen, argon, oxygen, and water vaporwater vapor

Temperatures range from -140Temperatures range from -140°C to 20°C°C to 20°C Period of rotation = 24.5 hrs Period of rotation = 24.5 hrs Period of revolution = 1.88 yearsPeriod of revolution = 1.88 years Two moons, no ringsTwo moons, no rings

JupiterJupiter Avg. distance from the Sun = 779 million Avg. distance from the Sun = 779 million

KmKm Largest planetLargest planet Thick atmosphere composed of Thick atmosphere composed of

hydrogen, helium, methane, & ammoniahydrogen, helium, methane, & ammonia Huge storms, like the great red spot, swirl Huge storms, like the great red spot, swirl

across the surface across the surface Surface temperature = -148Surface temperature = -148°C°C Period of rotation = 10 hoursPeriod of rotation = 10 hours Period of revolution = 11.86 yearsPeriod of revolution = 11.86 years 63 moons and one thin ring 63 moons and one thin ring

SaturnSaturn Avg. distance from the Sun = 1434 million Avg. distance from the Sun = 1434 million

Km)Km) Swirling clouds produce a banded lookSwirling clouds produce a banded look Atmosphere is stormy and composed of Atmosphere is stormy and composed of

hydrogen, helium, methane, and ammoniahydrogen, helium, methane, and ammonia Ice particles and rocks form a series of rings Ice particles and rocks form a series of rings

around the planetaround the planet Average surface temperature = -178Average surface temperature = -178°C°C Period of rotation = 10.5 hoursPeriod of rotation = 10.5 hours Period of revolution = 29.46 yearsPeriod of revolution = 29.46 years 56 moons, 7 major rings, & thousands of 56 moons, 7 major rings, & thousands of

ringlets ringlets

UranusUranus

Avg. distance from the Sun = 2869 Avg. distance from the Sun = 2869 million Kmmillion Km

Gas giant that rotates on its sideGas giant that rotates on its side Thick bluish-green atmosphere Thick bluish-green atmosphere

composed of hydrogen, helium, & composed of hydrogen, helium, & methanemethane

Avg. surface temperature = -216Avg. surface temperature = -216°C°C Period of rotation = 16.8 hours Period of rotation = 16.8 hours

(retrograde)(retrograde) Period of revolution = 84 yearsPeriod of revolution = 84 years 27 moons and 9 narrow rings27 moons and 9 narrow rings

NeptuneNeptune

Avg. distance from the Sun = 4495 Avg. distance from the Sun = 4495 million Kmmillion Km

Bluish colored gas giantBluish colored gas giant Huge clouds of methane float in an Huge clouds of methane float in an

atmosphere of hydrogen and heliumatmosphere of hydrogen and helium Avg. surface temperature = -214Avg. surface temperature = -214°C°C Period of rotation = 16 hoursPeriod of rotation = 16 hours Period of revolution = 164.8 yearsPeriod of revolution = 164.8 years 13 moons and 4 rings 13 moons and 4 rings

Other Objects in the Solar Other Objects in the Solar SystemSystem

Dwarf PlanetsDwarf PlanetsCometsCometsAsteroidsAsteroidsMeteoroids Meteoroids MoonsMoonsThe SunThe Sun

Dwarf PlanetsDwarf Planets

Pluto and any other round object that "has Pluto and any other round object that "has not cleared the neighborhood around its not cleared the neighborhood around its orbit, and is not a satellite" orbit, and is not a satellite"

Ceres is the only dwarf planet in the Ceres is the only dwarf planet in the asteroid beltasteroid belt

Currently, there are three celestial bodies Currently, there are three celestial bodies that have been redefined as dwarf planets that have been redefined as dwarf planets (Pluto, Ceres, & Eris)(Pluto, Ceres, & Eris)

CometsComets Loose collections of ice, dust, and Loose collections of ice, dust, and

small rocky particles that make small rocky particles that make long, narrow elliptical orbits around long, narrow elliptical orbits around the Sunthe Sun

There are three parts to a comet; There are three parts to a comet; the the nucleusnucleus & & comacoma (which make (which make up the comet’s head), and the up the comet’s head), and the tailtail The tail always points away from the The tail always points away from the

SunSun

Most comets originate in either the Most comets originate in either the Kuiper belt (extends past Neptune) Kuiper belt (extends past Neptune) or the Oort Cloud(lies beyond or the Oort Cloud(lies beyond Pluto)Pluto)

AsteroidsAsteroids Chunks of rock or fragments Chunks of rock or fragments of planet-like material floating of planet-like material floating in spacein space

Thought to be pieces of the Thought to be pieces of the early Solar System that never early Solar System that never came together to form a came together to form a planet planet

Most are irregular in shape Most are irregular in shape and less thanand less than

1 Km long1 Km long Most revolve around the Sun Most revolve around the Sun

in a narrow band, between in a narrow band, between Mars and Jupiter, called the Mars and Jupiter, called the asteroid beltasteroid belt

Meteoroids, Meteors, & MeteoritesMeteoroids, Meteors, & Meteorites

Meteoroids-Meteoroids- Chunks of rock, dust, or Chunks of rock, dust, or metal or stone in spacemetal or stone in space

- Most come from asteroids or- Most come from asteroids or comets that have broken upcomets that have broken up

- About 100 million enter the - About 100 million enter the Earth’s atmosphere daily Earth’s atmosphere daily Meteors-Meteors- Streaks of light produced Streaks of light produced

when meteoroids burn up as they enter when meteoroids burn up as they enter our atmosphereour atmosphere

Meteorites-Meteorites- Meteoroids that pass Meteoroids that pass through the atmosphere and strike the through the atmosphere and strike the Earth’s surface (Can produce craters) Earth’s surface (Can produce craters)

The Origin of the MoonThe Origin of the Moon The collision-ring theory is used to explain the The collision-ring theory is used to explain the

moon’s originmoon’s origin 4.5 billion years ago a planet-sized object collided 4.5 billion years ago a planet-sized object collided

with Earth to form the moonwith Earth to form the moon Material from the collision was ejected into orbit Material from the collision was ejected into orbit

around the Earth, forming a ring around the planetaround the Earth, forming a ring around the planet Gravity caused thisGravity caused this

material to combinematerial to combine

and form the moonand form the moon

Characteristics of the MoonCharacteristics of the Moon

The moon is barren and airlessThe moon is barren and airless Avg. distance from Earth = 384,000 KmAvg. distance from Earth = 384,000 Km Approximately ¼ the size of the Earth and has about Approximately ¼ the size of the Earth and has about

1/8 the mass of Earth1/8 the mass of Earth Due to it’s lack of atmosphere, the moon has a wide Due to it’s lack of atmosphere, the moon has a wide

range of temperatures, ranging from -180range of temperatures, ranging from -180ºC to 130ºC ºC to 130ºC Although there is no liquid water on the surface, Although there is no liquid water on the surface,

evidence suggests that there may be ice near the evidence suggests that there may be ice near the poles as well as liquid water reserves deep below the poles as well as liquid water reserves deep below the surfacesurface

Features of the Moon’s SurfaceFeatures of the Moon’s Surface

MariaMaria- Dark, flat areas on the - Dark, flat areas on the moon’s surface formed from moon’s surface formed from huge ancient lava flows that huge ancient lava flows that occurred 3 to 4 billion years agooccurred 3 to 4 billion years ago

CratersCraters- Large round pits - Large round pits caused by the impact of caused by the impact of meteoroidsmeteoroids

HighlandsHighlands- Light-colored - Light-colored mountainous regions covering mountainous regions covering much of the moon’s surfacemuch of the moon’s surface

Movement of the MoonMovement of the Moon

Revolves around the Earth in a counter-Revolves around the Earth in a counter-clockwise directionclockwise direction

Rises in the east and sets in the west (about Rises in the east and sets in the west (about 50 minutes later each day)50 minutes later each day)

Period of revolution and rotation are both Period of revolution and rotation are both 27.3 days (Causes the same side of the 27.3 days (Causes the same side of the moon to always face the Earth)moon to always face the Earth)

The changing relative positions of the moon, The changing relative positions of the moon, Earth and the Sun cause the phases of the Earth and the Sun cause the phases of the moon, eclipses, and tidesmoon, eclipses, and tides

The Moon’s Phases The Moon’s Phases

The relative motions of the Earth, Moon and The relative motions of the Earth, Moon and Sun cause a change in the moon’s appearanceSun cause a change in the moon’s appearance

The Sun lights up the half of the Moon that The Sun lights up the half of the Moon that faces itfaces it

The phase of the moon seen depends on how The phase of the moon seen depends on how much of the sunlit side of the moon faces Earthmuch of the sunlit side of the moon faces Earth

The daily changes in the Moon’s appearance The daily changes in the Moon’s appearance are called are called phasesphases

Lunar month- Lunar month- Time from one new moon to the Time from one new moon to the next (about 29.5 days)next (about 29.5 days)

Phases of the MoonPhases of the Moon

Waxing PhasesWaxing Phases

When the moon appears to grow larger as it goes When the moon appears to grow larger as it goes

from being a new moon to a full moonfrom being a new moon to a full moon•New moon•New crescent•First quarter•New gibbous•Full Moon

Waning PhasesWaning Phases

When the moon appears to grow smaller as it When the moon appears to grow smaller as it

goes from the full moon phase to the new moongoes from the full moon phase to the new moon

•Full moon•Old gibbous•Last quarter•Old crescent•New moon

EclipsesEclipses Occur when one object in Occur when one object in

the sky is blocked from view the sky is blocked from view by another by another

Named for the object that Named for the object that we don’t seewe don’t see

During an eclipse, the During an eclipse, the shadow of one object falls shadow of one object falls on the otheron the other The shadow has two parts, a The shadow has two parts, a

dark inner shadow (dark inner shadow (umbraumbra) ) and a lighter outer shadow and a lighter outer shadow ((penumbrapenumbra))

Being in the umbra produces a Being in the umbra produces a total eclipsetotal eclipse, while being in the , while being in the penumbra, a penumbra, a partial eclipsepartial eclipse

Lunar EclipseLunar Eclipse

Blocking of the moon that takes place when Earth Blocking of the moon that takes place when Earth

comes directly between the Sun and the comes directly between the Sun and the full moonfull moon

Solar EclipsesSolar Eclipses

Blocking of the Sun that occurs when the Blocking of the Sun that occurs when the new moon new moon

comes directly between the Sun and the Earthcomes directly between the Sun and the Earth

TidesTides Tides are the rise and fall of ocean waters that occurs Tides are the rise and fall of ocean waters that occurs

about every 12 ½ hoursabout every 12 ½ hours Tides are caused mainly by differences in how much Tides are caused mainly by differences in how much

the moon’s gravity pulls on different parts of the Earth the moon’s gravity pulls on different parts of the Earth At any one time there are two places with high tides At any one time there are two places with high tides

and two places with low tidesand two places with low tides One high tide will be on the side of Earth facingOne high tide will be on the side of Earth facing

the moon and the second will be on thethe moon and the second will be on the

opposite sideopposite side Low tides occur at locations betweenLow tides occur at locations between

the high tidesthe high tides

The Sun’s Influence on TidesThe Sun’s Influence on Tides

Although the moon is Although the moon is the main factor the main factor causing the tides, the causing the tides, the influence of the influence of the Sun’s gravity on Sun’s gravity on Earth’s oceans is Earth’s oceans is seen during spring seen during spring tides and neap tidestides and neap tides

Spring Tides and Neap TidesSpring Tides and Neap Tides Spring tidesSpring tides- have the greatest difference in height - have the greatest difference in height

between high tide and low tide (between high tide and low tide (tidal rangetidal range)) Produces the highest high tides and the lowest low tidesProduces the highest high tides and the lowest low tides Occurs when the Sun and moon align with Earth during a Occurs when the Sun and moon align with Earth during a

new moon or a full moonnew moon or a full moon

Neap tidesNeap tides- have the smallest tidal range- have the smallest tidal range Produce the lowest high tides and the highest low tidesProduce the lowest high tides and the highest low tides Occurs when the gravity of the Sun and the moon pull at Occurs when the gravity of the Sun and the moon pull at

right angles to one another during the moon’s first and right angles to one another during the moon’s first and third quarter phasesthird quarter phases