The Inner Planets S The Inner Planets S

The Inner Planets S

The Inner Planets S The Inner Planets are the 4 planets closest to the Sun S Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars S The Inner Planets are also known as terrestrial planets S Terrestrial planets have rocky surfaces

Mercury S Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun S Mercury is slightly larger than the Moon

A Planet of Extremes S Mercury is a planet of extremes S Temperatures on Mercury can get as cold as -170 o. C (-274 o. F) and get as hot as 430 o C (806 o F) S Mercury has these extreme temperatures because it has a very thin atmosphere S *Remember* A planet’s atmosphere is what helps regulate the planet’s temperature (think about the Earth)

Venus S Venus aka the “morning star” aka the “evening star”, is the 2 nd planet from the Sun S Venus is not a star though, because it does not create its own light. S It shines because it reflects light from the Sun S Venus is the only planet that rotates East to West. S It’s “moving backwards”!

Venus S Venus is slowww… S It takes about 7. 5 months for Venus to revolve around the Sun S But it takes about 8 MONTHS for Venus to make 1 rotation. S 1 Day for Venus is longer than 1 Year!!

Venus’ Greenhouse S Venus’ atmosphere is made of mostly carbon dioxide S *Remember that CO 2 is a greenhouse gas S Venus is becoming hotter and hotter because it has mostly green house gas in its atmosphere S Global warming is always happening on Venus

Earth S Earth is the 3 rd planet from the Sun S Earth’s atmosphere is made up of 20% oxygen. S This is very important for living organisms like…humans S The rest of the atmosphere is mostly made of nitrogen and water vapor S Clouds are made of water vapor S 70% of the Earth is covered with water!!

Earth S Earth’s atmosphere is made up of 20% oxygen. S This is very important for living organisms like…humans S The rest of the atmosphere is mostly made of nitrogen and water vapor S Clouds are made of water vapor S 70% of the Earth is covered with water!!

Layers of the Earth

Earth S The Earth is broken up into 3 main layers S The CRUST is the outside rocky layer S The MANTLE is the next layer, which is made of molten rock S The CORE is divided into a liquid OUTER CORE and a solid INNER CORE

Mars – The Red Planet S Mars is the 4 th planet from the Sun S Mars is also known as the “Red Planet” because of its reddish surface S Mars’ atmosphere is mostly carbon dioxide

Mars – The Red Planet S Mars is the 4 th planet from the Sun S Mars is also known as the “Red Planet” because of its reddish surface S Mars’ atmosphere is mostly carbon dioxide

Mars – The Red Planet S Astronomers have found remains of water on Mars S The north pole of Mars contains ice! S Mars’ south pole is made of frozen carbon dioxide (aka Dry Ice) S Mars has seasons just like we do on Earth