The Terrestrial Planets Terrestrial Planet Surfaces How do

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The Terrestrial Planets

The Terrestrial Planets

Terrestrial Planet Surfaces How do they compare to one another?

Terrestrial Planet Surfaces How do they compare to one another?

Earth • most active geology • volcanoes & tectonics • moderate atmosphere • N

Earth • most active geology • volcanoes & tectonics • moderate atmosphere • N 2 O 2 H 2 O • H 2 O exists in liquid state • rampant erosion • few craters • life

Venus • Has a thick, cloudy atmosphere -- you can not visually see the

Venus • Has a thick, cloudy atmosphere -- you can not visually see the surface • we must image the surface using radar • smooth plains with few mountain ranges • few craters • many volcanoes and domes of lava (corona) • Venus is very active with tectonics & volcanism

Venus Searing heat, heavy pressure, clouds of sulfuric acid, frequent volcanic eruptions; as Carl

Venus Searing heat, heavy pressure, clouds of sulfuric acid, frequent volcanic eruptions; as Carl Sagan said: Venus is the planet most like hell.

Volcanism & Tectonics on Venus Impact craters are evenly spread over Venusian surface. •

Volcanism & Tectonics on Venus Impact craters are evenly spread over Venusian surface. • implies that the planet’s entire surface is the same age • crater counting suggests an age of 1 billion years old Volcanism “paved over” the surface 1 billion years ago.

Volcanism & Tectonics on Venus • The corona is a tectonic feature. • rising

Volcanism & Tectonics on Venus • The corona is a tectonic feature. • rising plume in mantle pushes crust up • cause circular stretch marks • Plume forces magma to the surface. • volcanoes are found nearby

Mars • • mountains & canyons volcanoes thin atmosphere (CO 2) no plate tectonics

Mars • • mountains & canyons volcanoes thin atmosphere (CO 2) no plate tectonics --volcanoes are higher • evidence for water erosion • Mars has a rotation period & axis tilt almost identical to Earth’s • this implies that Mars has seasons • look at the ice caps (CO 2 & H 2 O)

Mars • Olympus Mons • the largest volcano in our Solar System • it

Mars • Olympus Mons • the largest volcano in our Solar System • it is located atop the Tharsis Bulge along with several other volcanoes

Four images of Mars in one Martian Day Summer in North, Winter in South

Four images of Mars in one Martian Day Summer in North, Winter in South N S

Evidence for Water

Evidence for Water

Spirit peeks over a ridge in Columbia Hills

Spirit peeks over a ridge in Columbia Hills

Rovers on Mars

Rovers on Mars

Dust Devils

Dust Devils

• evidence for (frozen) water within 1 meter under the surface • this

• evidence for (frozen) water within 1 meter under the surface • this underground water is found all over the planet

Recent Water on Mars? • Liquid water could exist temporarily with today’s temperatures and

Recent Water on Mars? • Liquid water could exist temporarily with today’s temperatures and air pressures…in a flash flood! • Underground water seeps out to form erosion gullies • at their size, sandstorms would cover them in few million yrs

Seeps

Seeps

Ice in Crater

Ice in Crater

Frozen Ice Floes?

Frozen Ice Floes?

Planets Planets Planet Groups The Inner Planets PlanetsPlanets Planets Planet Groups The Inner Planets Planets
Introduction Inner Terrestrial Planets The 8 Planets PlanetsIntroduction Inner Terrestrial Planets The 8 Planets Planets
THE INNER PLANETS Terrestrial Planets O 4 planetsTHE INNER PLANETS Terrestrial Planets O 4 planets
Introduction Inner Terrestrial Planets The 8 Planets PlanetsIntroduction Inner Terrestrial Planets The 8 Planets Planets
Chapter 6 Terrestrial Planets Chapter 6 Terrestrial PlanetsChapter 6 Terrestrial Planets Chapter 6 Terrestrial Planets
The Planets Terrestrial Planets Mercury Smallest planet NoThe Planets Terrestrial Planets Mercury Smallest planet No
Planet Types Terrestrial Planet 0 Inner Four PlanetsPlanet Types Terrestrial Planet 0 Inner Four Planets
Outer Planets Characteristics of Outer Planets Gas planetsOuter Planets Characteristics of Outer Planets Gas planets
THE OUTER PLANETS Jovian Planets O 5 planetsTHE OUTER PLANETS Jovian Planets O 5 planets
Plutodwarf planets All planets including dwarf planets andPlutodwarf planets All planets including dwarf planets and
Outer Planets Notes The Outer Planets Gas PlanetsOuter Planets Notes The Outer Planets Gas Planets
Planets Wandering Worlds Chapter 4 Planets The planetsPlanets Wandering Worlds Chapter 4 Planets The planets
1 Terrestrial World Surfaces Solid rocky surfaces shaped1 Terrestrial World Surfaces Solid rocky surfaces shaped
Properties of the Planets Terrestrial Planets Mercury VenusProperties of the Planets Terrestrial Planets Mercury Venus
Jovian Planets Different than Terrestrial Planets Bigger moreJovian Planets Different than Terrestrial Planets Bigger more
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11 2 INNER PLANETS Terrestrial Planets Solid and11 2 INNER PLANETS Terrestrial Planets Solid and
Hosted by Mr Mariano Terrestrial Planets Jovian PlanetsHosted by Mr Mariano Terrestrial Planets Jovian Planets
Terrestrial Planets The 8 Planets of the SolarTerrestrial Planets The 8 Planets of the Solar
THE SOLAR SYSTEM Terrestrial Planets Mercury Venus PLANETSTHE SOLAR SYSTEM Terrestrial Planets Mercury Venus PLANETS
The Terrestrial Planets Introduction v The four terrestrialThe Terrestrial Planets Introduction v The four terrestrial