Download If you weighed 100 lbs on Earth, you would weigh 38 pounds on

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This unit will also cover..
Learning the Inner Planets
The Habitable Zone
Astronomical Units
Focus on Mercury
Focus on Venus
Focus on Earth
Axial Tilt / Seasons
Synchronous Orbit of the Moon
Phases of the Moon
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This unit will also cover..
Learning the Inner Planets
The Habitable Zone
Astronomical Units
Focus on Mercury
Focus on Venus
Focus on Earth
Axial Tilt / Seasons
Synchronous Orbit of the Moon
Phases of the Moon
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This unit will also cover..
Learning the Inner Planets
The Habitable Zone
Astronomical Units
Focus on Mercury
Focus on Venus
Focus on Earth
Axial Tilt / Seasons
Synchronous Orbit of the Moon
Phases of the Moon
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•
This unit will also cover..
Learning the Inner Planets
The Habitable Zone
Astronomical Units
Focus on Mercury
Focus on Venus
Focus on Earth
Axial Tilt / Seasons
Synchronous Orbit of the Moon
Phases of the Moon
•
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•
•
•
•
•
This unit will also cover..
Learning the Inner Planets
The Habitable Zone
Astronomical Units
Focus on Mercury
Focus on Venus
Focus on Earth
Axial Tilt / Seasons
Synchronous Orbit of the Moon
Phases of the Moon
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•
This unit will also cover..
Learning the Inner Planets
The Habitable Zone
Astronomical Units
Focus on Mercury
Focus on Venus
Focus on Earth
Axial Tilt / Seasons
Synchronous Orbit of the Moon
Phases of the Moon
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This unit will also cover..
Learning the Inner Planets
The Habitable Zone
Astronomical Units
Focus on Mercury
Focus on Venus
Focus on Earth
Axial Tilt / Seasons
Synchronous Orbit of the Moon
Phases of the Moon
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•
This unit will also cover..
Learning the Inner Planets
The Habitable Zone
Astronomical Units
Focus on Mercury
Focus on Venus
Focus on Earth
Axial Tilt / Seasons
Synchronous Orbit of the Moon
Phases of the Moon
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This unit will also cover..
Learning the Inner Planets
The Habitable Zone
Astronomical Units
Focus on Mercury
Focus on Venus
Focus on Earth
Axial Tilt / Seasons
Synchronous Orbit of the Moon
Phases of the Moon
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This unit will also cover..
Tidal Forces
The Apollo Missions
Focus on Mars
Exploration of Mars
Space Race
Rocketry
Space Shuttle Program
Forces in Rocketry
Parts of a Rocket
Building Soda Bottle Rockets
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This unit will also cover..
Tidal Forces
The Apollo Missions
Focus on Mars
Exploration of Mars
Space Race
Rocketry
Space Shuttle Program
Forces in Rocketry
Parts of a Rocket
Building Soda Bottle Rockets
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•
This unit will also cover..
Tidal Forces
The Apollo Missions
Focus on Mars
Exploration of Mars
Space Race
Rocketry
Space Shuttle Program
Forces in Rocketry
Parts of a Rocket
Building Soda Bottle Rockets
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•
This unit will also cover..
Tidal Forces
The Apollo Missions
Focus on Mars
Exploration of Mars
Space Race
Rocketry
Space Shuttle Program
Forces in Rocketry
Parts of a Rocket
Building Soda Bottle Rockets
• RED SLIDE: These are notes that are very
important and should be recorded in your
science journal.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
-Nice neat notes that are legible and use indentations
when appropriate.
.
-Nice neat notes that are legible and use indentations
when appropriate.
-Example of indent.
-Nice neat notes that are legible and use indentations
when appropriate.
-Example of indent.
-Skip a line between topics
-Nice neat notes that are legible and use indentations
when appropriate.
-Example of indent.
-Skip a line between topics
-Don’t skip pages
-Nice neat notes that are legible and use indentations
when appropriate.
-Example of indent.
-Skip a line between topics
-Don’t skip pages
-Make visuals clear and well drawn.
-Nice neat notes that are legible and use indentations
when appropriate.
-Example of indent.
-Skip a line between topics
-Don’t skip pages
-Make visuals clear and well drawn.
• RED SLIDE: These are notes that are very
important and should be recorded in your
science journal.
• BLACK SLIDE: Pay attention, follow
directions, complete projects as described
and answer required questions neatly.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Keep an eye out for “The-Owl” and raise
your hand as soon as you see him.
– He will be hiding somewhere in the slideshow
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Keep an eye out for “The-Owl” and raise
your hand as soon as you see him.
– He will be hiding somewhere in the slideshow
“Hoot, Hoot”
“Good Luck!”
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

New Area of Focus: The Inner Planets.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

New Area of Focus: The Inner Planets.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

New Area of Focus: The Inner Planets.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

New Area of Focus: The Inner Planets.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

New Area of Focus: The Inner Planets.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

New Area of Focus: The Inner Planets.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

New Area of Focus: The Inner Planets.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

New Area of Focus: The Inner Planets.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

New Area of Focus: The Inner Planets.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Can you name the inner planets by sight?
– Give it a shot below.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Can you name the inner planets by sight?
– Give it a shot below.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Can you name the inner planets by sight?
– Give it a shot below.
Venus
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Can you name the inner planets by sight?
– Give it a shot below.
Venus
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Can you name the inner planets by sight?
– Give it a shot below.
Venus
Mars
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Can you name the inner planets by sight?
– Give it a shot below.
Venus
Mars
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Can you name the inner planets by sight?
– Give it a shot below.
Mercury
Venus
Mars
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Can you name the inner planets by sight?
– Give it a shot below.
Mercury
Venus
Mars
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Can you name the inner planets by sight?
– Give it a shot below.
Mercury
Venus
Earth
Mars
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Which planet rotates opposite of all the
others?
Mercury
Venus
Earth
Mars
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Which planet rotates opposite of all the
others?
Mercury
Venus
Earth
Mars
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Which planet rotates opposite of all the
others?
Mercury
Venus
Earth
Mars
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Can you do it one more time?
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Can you do it one more time?
Mercury
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Can you do it one more time?
Mercury
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Can you do it one more time?
Mercury
Venus
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Can you do it one more time?
Mercury
Venus
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Can you do it one more time?
Mercury
Venus
Mars
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Can you do it one more time?
Mercury
Venus
Mars
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Can you do it one more time?
Earth
Venus
Mercury
Mars
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Activity! Say the name of the inner planets
when the arrow points to them.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
“BE QUIET!”
“I am trying
to study”
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
On the next slide, teacher to minimize
out of slideshow and assist students in
dragging inner planets to their correct
order.
Answer:
Answer:
• What is the connection between this story
and the planet earth?
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Answer! The distance to planet Earth from the
Sun is just right. Not to hot, and not to cold.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Which planets are too hot, too cold, and just right?
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Which planets are too hot, too cold, and just right?
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Which planets are too hot, too cold, and just right?
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Which planets are too hot, too cold, and just right?
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Which planets are too hot, too cold, and just right?
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Which planets are too hot, too cold, and just right?
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Which planets are too hot, too cold, and just right?
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

AU = Astronomical Unit, Distance from
Earth to the Sun.
-
-
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

AU = Astronomical Unit, Distance from
Earth to the Sun.
 93
Million Miles or
-
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

AU = Astronomical Unit, Distance from
Earth to the Sun.
 93
Million Miles or
 150 Million Kilometers or
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

AU = Astronomical Unit, Distance from
Earth to the Sun.
 93
Million Miles or
 150 Million Kilometers or
 1 AU
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

AU = Astronomical Unit, Distance from
Earth to the Sun.
 93
Million Miles or
 150 Million Kilometers or
 1 AU
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
How units in astronomy are measured, Learn More:
http://www.telescope.org/nuffield_21_sci/astrounits.htm
• What planet am I? I am about 9.5 AU
from the sun.
• What planet am I? I am about 9.5 AU
from the sun.
• What planet am I? I am about .7 AU
from the sun.
• What planet am I? I am about .7 AU
from the sun.
• What planet am I? I am about .7 AU
from the sun.
• Inner Planets – Mercury, Venus, Earth,
• What’s inside?
• Activity! Gathering information about the Sun
and the Inner Planets.
– Please create two pages in your journal of the
next slide.
– Please Google “Virtual Tour Solar System”
– Record important factoids about each of the inner
planets.
– The more information the better.
• 5 would be the absolute minimal per planet.
• Mercury: Searching for facts online.
– Search “Virtual Tour Mercury”
– http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science
/space/solar-system/mercury-article.html
– http://www.wwiaviation.com/wavelength/merc
ury.html
– http://www.space.com/mercury/
– http://www.seasky.org/solar-system/solarsystem-intro.html
• Activity! Visit the websites about Venus and
record information for the unit assessment.
• http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/space/solarsystem/mercury-article.html
• http://www.wwiaviation.com/wavelength/venus.html
• http://www.space.com/venus/http://nineplanets.org/venus.html
• http://www.solarspace.co.uk/Venus/venus.php
• Activity Sheet Available: Research Inner
Planets.
THE SUN
THE SUN
Mercury
THE SUN
Mercury
Venus
THE SUN
Venus
Earth
Mercury
THE SUN
Venus
Earth
Mercury
Mars
THE SUN
Venus
Earth
Mercury
Mars
THE SUN
Venus
Earth
Mercury
Asteroid Belt
Mars
THE SUN
Venus
Earth
Mercury
Asteroid Belt
Mars
THE SUN
The Sun is by far the largest object in the solar system. It
contains more than 99.8% of the total mass of the Solar
System. All energy for our solar system comes from the sun.
Check out the Corona Ejections
Venus
The Sun is, at present, about 70% hydrogen and 28%
helium by mass everything else ("metals") amounts to less
than 2%. The sun is approximately 93 million miles from
Earth.
Earth
Mercury
Asteroid Belt
Mars
THE SUN
The Sun is by far the largest object in the solar system. It
contains more than 99.8% of the total mass of the Solar
System. All energy for our solar system comes from the sun.
Check out the Corona Ejections
Venus
The Sun is, at present, about 70% hydrogen and 28%
helium by mass everything else ("metals") amounts to less
than 2%. The sun is approximately 93 million miles from
Earth.
Earth
Mercury is a small, rocky
planet.
~ Mercury has
been visited by the
Mariner 10 spacecraft.
Mariner 10 has mapped a
little less than half (45%)
of Mercury's surface.
~
Scientists think that there
may be *volcanic activity*
on Mercury. They are still
studying information sent
to Earth from the Mariner
spacecraft to make
sure.
~ The
temperature on Mercury
ranges from 90 K to 700
K.
Mercury
Asteroid Belt
Mars
THE SUN
The Sun is by far the largest object in the solar system. It
contains more than 99.8% of the total mass of the Solar
System. All energy for our solar system comes from the sun.
Check out the Corona Ejections
The Sun is, at present, about 70% hydrogen and 28%
helium by mass everything else ("metals") amounts to less
than 2%. The sun is approximately 93 million miles from
Earth.
Venus
Venus is a small, rocky planetblanketed in a thick layer of yellowish
clouds. These clouds are not made of water (like the ones here on
Earth). Instead, they are formed from a poison called sulfuric
acid.
~ Venus' surface is very hot - about 400 degrees
Celsius!
~ Even though Venus is very cloudy, it's simply *too hot*
for rain to form.
~ The first spacecraft to visit Venus was Mariner
2 in 1962. Venus has since been visited by more than 20 spacecraft
in all so far! Some of these visiting spacecraft include: Pioneer
Venus, Venera 7, Venera 9 and Magellan.
Earth
Mercury is a small, rocky
planet.
~ Mercury has
been visited by the
Mariner 10 spacecraft.
Mariner 10 has mapped a
little less than half (45%)
of Mercury's surface.
~
Scientists think that there
may be *volcanic activity*
on Mercury. They are still
studying information sent
to Earth from the Mariner
spacecraft to make
sure.
~ The
temperature on Mercury
ranges from 90 K to 700
K.
Mercury
Asteroid Belt
Mars
THE SUN
The Sun is by far the largest object in the solar system. It
contains more than 99.8% of the total mass of the Solar
System. All energy for our solar system comes from the sun.
Check out the Corona Ejections
The Sun is, at present, about 70% hydrogen and 28%
helium by mass everything else ("metals") amounts to less
than 2%. The sun is approximately 93 million miles from
Earth.
Venus
Venus is a small, rocky planetblanketed in a thick layer of yellowish
clouds. These clouds are not made of water (like the ones here on
Earth). Instead, they are formed from a poison called sulfuric
acid.
~ Venus' surface is very hot - about 400 degrees
Celsius!
~ Even though Venus is very cloudy, it's simply *too hot*
for rain to form.
~ The first spacecraft to visit Venus was Mariner
2 in 1962. Venus has since been visited by more than 20 spacecraft
in all so far! Some of these visiting spacecraft include: Pioneer
Venus, Venera 7, Venera 9 and Magellan.
Earth
Mercury is a small, rocky
planet.
~ Mercury has
been visited by the
Mariner 10 spacecraft.
Mariner 10 has mapped a
little less than half (45%)
of Mercury's surface.
~
Scientists think that there
may be *volcanic activity*
on Mercury. They are still
studying information sent
to Earth from the Mariner
spacecraft to make
sure.
~ The
temperature on Mercury
ranges from 90 K to 700
K.
Earth is a small, rocky planet which supports a variety of life! As far as we know, Earth is unique
from all other planets in this respect.
~ Temperatures at the Earth's center (called the "core")
may be as high as 7500 K - That's hotter than the surface of the Sun!
~ The Earth is the densest
major body in the solar system. This means that it's the most "compact" of all the planets. For
example, you have two loaves of bread, both of the same amount. You smash one loaf of bread flat.
Even though both loaves are of the same amount, the smashed bread is *denser* because it is more
compact. The Earth is 4.5 to 4.6 billion years old, but the oldest known rocks are less than 4 billion
years old. Rocks older than 3 billion years are rare. The oldest fossils of living organisms are less
than 3.9 billion years old!
~ The Earth is orbited by one moon.
Mercury
Asteroid Belt
Mars
THE SUN
The Sun is by far the largest object in the solar system. It
contains more than 99.8% of the total mass of the Solar
System. All energy for our solar system comes from the sun.
Check out the Corona Ejections
The Sun is, at present, about 70% hydrogen and 28%
helium by mass everything else ("metals") amounts to less
than 2%. The sun is approximately 93 million miles from
Earth.
Venus
Venus is a small, rocky planetblanketed in a thick layer of yellowish
clouds. These clouds are not made of water (like the ones here on
Earth). Instead, they are formed from a poison called sulfuric
acid.
~ Venus' surface is very hot - about 400 degrees
Celsius!
~ Even though Venus is very cloudy, it's simply *too hot*
for rain to form.
~ The first spacecraft to visit Venus was Mariner
2 in 1962. Venus has since been visited by more than 20 spacecraft
in all so far! Some of these visiting spacecraft include: Pioneer
Venus, Venera 7, Venera 9 and Magellan.
Earth
Mercury is a small, rocky
planet.
~ Mercury has
been visited by the
Mariner 10 spacecraft.
Mariner 10 has mapped a
little less than half (45%)
of Mercury's surface.
~
Scientists think that there
may be *volcanic activity*
on Mercury. They are still
studying information sent
to Earth from the Mariner
spacecraft to make
sure.
~ The
temperature on Mercury
ranges from 90 K to 700
K.
Earth is a small, rocky planet which supports a variety of life! As far as we know, Earth is unique
from all other planets in this respect.
~ Temperatures at the Earth's center (called the "core")
may be as high as 7500 K - That's hotter than the surface of the Sun!
~ The Earth is the densest
major body in the solar system. This means that it's the most "compact" of all the planets. For
example, you have two loaves of bread, both of the same amount. You smash one loaf of bread flat.
Even though both loaves are of the same amount, the smashed bread is *denser* because it is more
compact. The Earth is 4.5 to 4.6 billion years old, but the oldest known rocks are less than 4 billion
years old. Rocks older than 3 billion years are rare. The oldest fossils of living organisms are less
than 3.9 billion years old!
~ The Earth is orbited by one moon.
Mercury
Asteroid Belt
Mars is a small, rocky planet which is cold and lifeless.
~ The first spacecraft to visit
Mars was Mariner 4 in 1965. Several others followed including the two Viking landers in
1976. After a long break, Mars Pathfinder landed successfully on Mars on July 4,
1997.
~ Mars has permanent ice caps at both poles made up mostly of solid carbon
dioxide. We know this as "dry ice."
~ Very strong winds and vast dust storms
sometimes blow through the entire planet for months!
~ Mars has two tiny moons
which orbit very close to the surface. Their names are Phobos and Deimos.
Mars
THE SUN
The Sun is by far the largest object in the solar system. It
contains more than 99.8% of the total mass of the Solar
System. All energy for our solar system comes from the sun.
Check out the Corona Ejections
The Sun is, at present, about 70% hydrogen and 28%
helium by mass everything else ("metals") amounts to less
than 2%. The sun is approximately 93 million miles from
Earth.
Venus
Venus is a small, rocky planetblanketed in a thick layer of yellowish
clouds. These clouds are not made of water (like the ones here on
Earth). Instead, they are formed from a poison called sulfuric
acid.
~ Venus' surface is very hot - about 400 degrees
Celsius!
~ Even though Venus is very cloudy, it's simply *too hot*
for rain to form.
~ The first spacecraft to visit Venus was Mariner
2 in 1962. Venus has since been visited by more than 20 spacecraft
in all so far! Some of these visiting spacecraft include: Pioneer
Venus, Venera 7, Venera 9 and Magellan.
Earth
Mercury is a small, rocky
planet.
~ Mercury has
been visited by the
Mariner 10 spacecraft.
Mariner 10 has mapped a
little less than half (45%)
of Mercury's surface.
~
Scientists think that there
may be *volcanic activity*
on Mercury. They are still
studying information sent
to Earth from the Mariner
spacecraft to make
sure.
~ The
temperature on Mercury
ranges from 90 K to 700
K.
Earth is a small, rocky planet which supports a variety of life! As far as we know, Earth is unique
from all other planets in this respect.
~ Temperatures at the Earth's center (called the "core")
may be as high as 7500 K - That's hotter than the surface of the Sun!
~ The Earth is the densest
major body in the solar system. This means that it's the most "compact" of all the planets. For
example, you have two loaves of bread, both of the same amount. You smash one loaf of bread flat.
Even though both loaves are of the same amount, the smashed bread is *denser* because it is more
compact. The Earth is 4.5 to 4.6 billion years old, but the oldest known rocks are less than 4 billion
years old. Rocks older than 3 billion years are rare. The oldest fossils of living organisms are less
than 3.9 billion years old!
~ The Earth is orbited by one moon.
Mercury
Asteroid Belt
Mars is a small, rocky planet which is cold and lifeless.
~ The first spacecraft to visit
Mars was Mariner 4 in 1965. Several others followed including the two Viking landers in
1976. After a long break, Mars Pathfinder landed successfully on Mars on July 4,
1997.
~ Mars has permanent ice caps at both poles made up mostly of solid carbon
dioxide. We know this as "dry ice."
~ Very strong winds and vast dust storms
sometimes blow through the entire planet for months!
~ Mars has two tiny moons
which orbit very close to the surface. Their names are Phobos and Deimos.
Mars
THE SUN
The Sun is by far the largest object in the solar system. It
contains more than 99.8% of the total mass of the Solar
System. All energy for our solar system comes from the sun.
Check out the Corona Ejections
Venus
http://science.nationalgeographic
.com/science/space/solarsystem/mercury-article.html
Earth
The Sun is, at present, about 70% hydrogen and 28%
helium by mass everything else ("metals") amounts to less
than 2%. The sun is approximately 93 million miles from
Earth.
Mercury is a small, rocky
planet.
~ Mercury has
been visited by the
Mariner 10 spacecraft.
Mariner 10 has mapped a
little less than half (45%)
of Mercury's surface.
~
Scientists think that there
may be *volcanic activity*
on Mercury. They are still
studying information sent
to Earth from the Mariner
spacecraft to make
sure.
~ The
temperature on Mercury
ranges from 90 K to 700
K.
Venus is a small, rocky planetblanketed in a thick layer of yellowish
clouds. These clouds are not made of water (like the ones here on
Earth). Instead, they are formed from a poison called sulfuric
acid.
~ Venus' surface is very hot - about 400 degrees
Celsius!
~ Even though Venus is very cloudy, it's simply *too hot*
for rain to form.
~ The first spacecraft to visit Venus was Mariner
2 in 1962. Venus has since been visited by more than 20 spacecraft
in all so far! Some of these visiting spacecraft include: Pioneer
Venus, Venera 7, Venera 9 and Magellan.
Earth is a small, rocky planet which supports a variety of life! As far as we know, Earth is unique
from all other planets in this respect.
~ Temperatures at the Earth's center (called the "core")
may be as high as 7500 K - That's hotter than the surface of the Sun!
~ The Earth is the densest
major body in the solar system. This means that it's the most "compact" of all the planets. For
example, you have two loaves of bread, both of the same amount. You smash one loaf of bread flat.
Even though both loaves are of the same amount, the smashed bread is *denser* because it is more
compact. The Earth is 4.5 to 4.6 billion years old, but the oldest known rocks are less than 4 billion
years old. Rocks older than 3 billion years are rare. The oldest fossils of living organisms are less
than 3.9 billion years old!
~ The Earth is orbited by one moon.
Mercury
Asteroid Belt
Mars is a small, rocky planet which is cold and lifeless.
~ The first spacecraft to visit
Mars was Mariner 4 in 1965. Several others followed including the two Viking landers in
1976. After a long break, Mars Pathfinder landed successfully on Mars on July 4,
1997.
~ Mars has permanent ice caps at both poles made up mostly of solid carbon
dioxide. We know this as "dry ice."
~ Very strong winds and vast dust storms
sometimes blow through the entire planet for months!
~ Mars has two tiny moons
which orbit very close to the surface. Their names are Phobos and Deimos.
Mars

Area of Focus: Mercury
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
THE SUN
The Sun is by far the largest object in the solar system. It
contains more than 99.8% of the total mass of the Solar
System. All energy for our solar system comes from the sun.
Check out the Corona Ejections
The Sun is, at present, about 70% hydrogen and 28%
helium by mass everything else ("metals") amounts to less
than 2%. The sun is approximately 93 million miles from
Earth.
Venus
Venus is a small, rocky planetblanketed in a thick layer of yellowish
clouds. These clouds are not made of water (like the ones here on
Earth). Instead, they are formed from a poison called sulfuric
acid.
~ Venus' surface is very hot - about 400 degrees
Celsius!
~ Even though Venus is very cloudy, it's simply *too hot*
for rain to form.
~ The first spacecraft to visit Venus was Mariner
2 in 1962. Venus has since been visited by more than 20 spacecraft
in all so far! Some of these visiting spacecraft include: Pioneer
Venus, Venera 7, Venera 9 and Magellan.
Earth
Mercury is a small, rocky
planet.
~ Mercury has
been visited by the
Mariner 10 spacecraft.
Mariner 10 has mapped a
little less than half (45%)
of Mercury's surface.
~
Scientists think that there
may be *volcanic activity*
on Mercury. They are still
studying information sent
to Earth from the Mariner
spacecraft to make
sure.
~ The
temperature on Mercury
ranges from 90 K to 700
K.
Earth is a small, rocky planet which supports a variety of life! As far as we know, Earth is unique
from all other planets in this respect.
~ Temperatures at the Earth's center (called the "core")
may be as high as 7500 K - That's hotter than the surface of the Sun!
~ The Earth is the densest
major body in the solar system. This means that it's the most "compact" of all the planets. For
example, you have two loaves of bread, both of the same amount. You smash one loaf of bread flat.
Even though both loaves are of the same amount, the smashed bread is *denser* because it is more
compact. The Earth is 4.5 to 4.6 billion years old, but the oldest known rocks are less than 4 billion
years old. Rocks older than 3 billion years are rare. The oldest fossils of living organisms are less
than 3.9 billion years old!
~ The Earth is orbited by one moon.
Mercury
Asteroid Belt
Mars is a small, rocky planet which is cold and lifeless.
~ The first spacecraft to visit
Mars was Mariner 4 in 1965. Several others followed including the two Viking landers in
1976. After a long break, Mars Pathfinder landed successfully on Mars on July 4,
1997.
~ Mars has permanent ice caps at both poles made up mostly of solid carbon
dioxide. We know this as "dry ice."
~ Very strong winds and vast dust storms
sometimes blow through the entire planet for months!
~ Mars has two tiny moons
which orbit very close to the surface. Their names are Phobos and Deimos.
Mars
THE SUN
The Sun is by far the largest object in the solar system. It
contains more than 99.8% of the total mass of the Solar
System. All energy for our solar system comes from the sun.
Check out the Corona Ejections
The Sun is, at present, about 70% hydrogen and 28%
helium by mass everything else ("metals") amounts to less
than 2%. The sun is approximately 93 million miles from
Earth.
Venus
Venus is a small, rocky planetblanketed in a thick layer of yellowish
clouds. These clouds are not made of water (like the ones here on
Earth). Instead, they are formed from a poison called sulfuric
acid.
~ Venus' surface is very hot - about 400 degrees
Celsius!
~ Even though Venus is very cloudy, it's simply *too hot*
for rain to form.
~ The first spacecraft to visit Venus was Mariner
2 in 1962. Venus has since been visited by more than 20 spacecraft
in all so far! Some of these visiting spacecraft include: Pioneer
Venus, Venera 7, Venera 9 and Magellan.
Earth
Mercury is a small, rocky
planet.
~ Mercury has
been visited by the
Mariner 10 spacecraft.
Mariner 10 has mapped a
little less than half (45%)
of Mercury's surface.
~
Scientists think that there
may be *volcanic activity*
on Mercury. They are still
studying information sent
to Earth from the Mariner
spacecraft to make
sure.
~ The
temperature on Mercury
ranges from 90 K to 700
K.
Earth is a small, rocky planet which supports a variety of life! As far as we know, Earth is unique
from all other planets in this respect.
~ Temperatures at the Earth's center (called the "core")
may be as high as 7500 K - That's hotter than the surface of the Sun!
~ The Earth is the densest
major body in the solar system. This means that it's the most "compact" of all the planets. For
example, you have two loaves of bread, both of the same amount. You smash one loaf of bread flat.
Even though both loaves are of the same amount, the smashed bread is *denser* because it is more
compact. The Earth is 4.5 to 4.6 billion years old, but the oldest known rocks are less than 4 billion
years old. Rocks older than 3 billion years are rare. The oldest fossils of living organisms are less
than 3.9 billion years old!
~ The Earth is orbited by one moon.
Mercury
Asteroid Belt
Mars is a small, rocky planet which is cold and lifeless.
~ The first spacecraft to visit
Mars was Mariner 4 in 1965. Several others followed including the two Viking landers in
1976. After a long break, Mars Pathfinder landed successfully on Mars on July 4,
1997.
~ Mars has permanent ice caps at both poles made up mostly of solid carbon
dioxide. We know this as "dry ice."
~ Very strong winds and vast dust storms
sometimes blow through the entire planet for months!
~ Mars has two tiny moons
which orbit very close to the surface. Their names are Phobos and Deimos.
Mars
• Mercury: Searching for facts online.
– Search “Virtual Tour Mercury”
– http://www.wwiaviation.com/wavelength/mercury.html
– http://www.space.com/mercury/
– http://www.seasky.org/solar-system/solar-system-intro.html
• Activity Sheet Available: Research Inner
Planets.
If you weighed 100
lbs on Earth, you
would weigh 38
pounds on Mercury
Mercury = 100 X
.38 = 38 pounds
Mercury has little to no
atmosphere and is heavily
cratered
• The Caloris Basin. Largest known crater in
the solar system.
• Symbol – Mercury
(Commerce / Speed)
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Symbol – Mercury
(Commerce / Speed)
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
First probe to
gather information
on this innermost
planet
First probe to
gather information
on this innermost
planet
March 29, 1974
If you weighed 100
lbs on Earth,
If you weighed 100
lbs on Earth, you
would weigh 38
pounds on Mercury
If you weighed 100
lbs on Earth, you
would weigh 38
pounds on Mercury
Mercury = 100 X .38 = 38 pounds
If you weighed 100
lbs on Earth, you
would weigh 38
pounds on Mercury
Mercury = 100 X .38 = 38 pounds
If you weighed 100
lbs on Earth, you
would weigh 38
pounds on Mercury
Mercury = 100 X .38 = 38 pounds
• Forget about the planets temperature and
lack of atmosphere…
– Would you want to go school for a day on
Mercury?
• Forget about the planets temperature and
lack of atmosphere…
– Would you want to go school for a day on
Mercury? One Day on Mercury =
• Forget about the planets temperature and
lack of atmosphere…
– Would you want to go school for a day on
Mercury? One Day on Mercury = 58 days, 15
hours on Earth.
• In 2012, Ice was discovered at the pole in
places permanently shielded from the sun.
• In 2012, Ice was discovered at the pole in
places permanently shielded from the sun.
• In 2012, Ice was discovered at the pole in
places permanently shielded from the sun.
• Mercury’s rotation is on a wobble.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Mercury’s rotation is on a wobble.
– As it approaches noon, the sun goes back
the way it came, then stops and goes again.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Mercury’s rotation is on a wobble.
– As it approaches noon, the sun goes back
the way it came, then stops and goes again.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Video Link! Surface of Mercury (Optional)
– Nice video that shows how surface data is
collected.
– Can be music / video during research
gathering in several slides.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLstq-vuppQ
• Mercury
– Close to the sun with no moons.
– Little to no atmosphere (heavily cratered)
– In the Sun the temperatures can reach 800 F or
420 C,
– In the shade, the temperatures can drop to -279
F, -173 C
– 88 day year (travels very fast)
– 1407 hour day (Very Long Day)
Mercury Information: Learn more:
http://nineplanets.org/mercury.html

Area of Focus: Venus
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Activity Sheet Available: Research Inner
Planets.
• Inner Planetary Topics Review Game
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• This Solar System Basics and the Sun lesson is just one
small part of the Astronomy Topics Unit. This unit
includes…
• A five part 2,800 Slide PowerPoint Presentation / unit
roadmap full of activities, review questions, games, video
links, materials list, and much more.
• A 13 bundled homework package, modified version, 7
pages of unit notes, 4 PowerPoint Review Games of
100+ slides each, videos, rubrics, and much more that
all chronologically follow the unit slideshow.
• This is a fantastic unit for any Earth Science Class.
• http://sciencepowerpoint.com/Astronomy_Unit.html
• http://sciencepowerpoint.com/Astronomy_Unit.html
Please feel free to contact me with any questions
you may have. Thanks again for your interest in
this curriculum.
• Sincerely,
• Ryan Murphy M.Ed
• [email protected]