Chapter Six Notes Darelyn Chambers

Formation of Planetary Systems 

In Chapter Six, we discussed briefly what all of the planets looked liked and what the solar system as a whole looks like. The chapter broke down each planet and then discussed different features about each particular planet. 

The Sun- The Sun is the largest and brightest object in our solar system, and it contains more than 99.8% of the solar system's mass. The Sun often appears to have a perfect round shape in many pictures, but in reality the surface of the Sun is more like flames rolling. 

Mercury- Mercury is the innermost planet in the solar system, and it is also the smallest of the 8 planets.  Because of tidal forces, mercury is both hot and cold. The surface of Mercury contains many craters and the density of the planet indicates it has a very dense inner core. 

Venus- The second planet form the Sun, Venus is nearly identical size wise to Earth. Venus is unique because it orbits on its axis the opposite direction that Earth rotates. Venus is greatly affected by greenhouse effects, causing it to be very hot. 

Earth- This is the only known planet to contain life. Earth is also the only planet in our solar system with oxygen, allowing the inhabitants of Earth to breathe and live. Oceans cover nearly 3/4 of the Earth's surface. 

Mars- Mars is larger than Mercury and the Moon, but only about half of the Earth's size. Mars contains ancient volcanoes and a great canyon. The air pressure in Mars is far less on Mars than on Earth. 

Jupiter- The mass of Jupiter is 300 times that of Earth, and its volume is more than 1000 times that of Earth. Jupiter reigns over dozens of moons and a thin set of rings. 

Saturn- Saturn orbits nearly twice as far from the Sun as Jupiter. Saturn, the second- largest planet in our solar system, is only slightly smaller than Jupiter in diameter, but its lower density makes it considerably less massive. 

Uranus- This planet is much smaller than either Jupiter or Saturn, but much larger than Earth. It is made mostly of hydrogen and helium, and there are more than two dozen moons that orbit Uranus. 

Neptune- Neptune looks similar to Uranus, except it is blue. Neptune has rings and numerous moons. Its largest moon, Triton, is larger than Pluto.