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Classifying the Solar System
Introduction
Scientists classify planets in many different ways. Today you work for NASA and will
use information you gather from the Solar System Data Sheet and/or other references
to make decisions on how you will classify the planets.
The Task
1. Classify each of the eight planets using these criteria:
 Its orbit in relation to Earth
 Inferior (between Earth & Sun)
 Superior (farther away from the Sun than the Earth).
 The make-up of its surface
 Rocky (Terrestrial)
 Gas (Jovian)
 Its size or diameter
 Giant (larger than Earth)
 Small (smaller than Earth).
 Its ability to be seen by our eyes
 Classical (planet that can be seen without a telescope)
 Modern (planets than cannot be seen without a telescope)
2. Identify and describe dwarf planets.
3. Describe a comet, asteroid, meteor, and the Kuiper Belt.
4. Complete the worksheet.
Name _____________________________________________________________
Classifying the Solar System
1. The following planets are considered…
a. Inferior Planets
1.
2.
b. Superior Planets
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
2. The following planets are…
a. Rocky (Terrestrial) Planets
1.
2.
3.
4.
b. Gas (Jovian) Planets
1.
2.
3.
4.
3. The following planets are…
a. Giant Planets (larger than Earth)
1.
2.
3.
4.
b. Small Planets (smaller than Earth)
1.
2.
3.
4. The following planets are…
a. Classical Planets (planet that can be seen without a telescope)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
b. Modern Planets (planets than cannot be seen without a telescope)
1.
2.
5. List and describe the dwarf planets.
a. ___________________________________________________________
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b. ___________________________________________________________
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c. ___________________________________________________________
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d. ___________________________________________________________
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e. ___________________________________________________________
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6. Describe the following and identify either where they are found.
a. Comet ______________________________________________________
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b. Asteroid ____________________________________________________
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c. Meteor _____________________________________________________
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d. Kuiper Belt __________________________________________________
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