Download Inner Planets

Write the information for the inner planets on
the front side, one planet in each box. Do the
same for the outer planets on the back side.
Illustrate each planet. Your drawings should
show the relative sizes of the planets, and
should be colored realistically. Refer to your
textbook or another source to see what colors
to use.
CLASS SET – MRS. STEWART
Inner Planets
Mercury
smallest planet
closest to Sun
little atmosphere, temperature extremes
heavily cratered surface
Outer Planets (Gas Giants)
Jupiter
largest planet
63 moons
“Great Red Spot” – giant storm on surface
fastest rotation
has rings
Venus
second closest to Sun
thick atmosphere traps solar energy =
greenhouse effect
hottest planet – about 470 C
Earth’s “sister planet” – similar size
slowest rotation
Earth
3rd planet from Sun
protective atmosphere allows life to
flourish
water exists as solid, liquid, & gas
Mars
farthest inner planet
red surface
has seasons and polar ice caps
might have had water shape the surface in
the past
The asteroid belt separates the inner and outer
planets.
Saturn
several broad rings, made of ice and dust
61 moons
Uranus
axis makes the planet spin almost sideways
has rings
27 moons
blue, because of methane
Neptune
farthest planet
coldest planet
has rings
13 moons
blue, because of methane and helium