Download B. Distance from Sun

Inner Planets
Inner Planets
I. Mercury
A. Size:
Smallest planet. _____________ of the Earth. 2 moons in
the solar system are larger, _______________________
_______.
B. Distance from Sun:
________. Closest planet to the Sun.
C. Eccentricity:
e = ______. Greatest in the solar system.
Distance from Sun
______________.
D. Surface:
_________. Lots of craters and no atmosphere.

E. Spin-Orbit Coupling:
____ spin-orbit coupling. ____ rotations
for every ___ orbits. Not synchronous
(1:1) like our Moon.
F. Average Temp:
________________
__________________
Day
Night
G. Small Elongation: ________. Hard to see because it is so close to
the Sun
I. Mercury
A. Size:
Smallest planet. _5.5% the mass_ of the Earth. 2 moons in
the solar system are larger, _Ganymede (Jupiter) and Titan
(Saturn)_.
B. Distance from Sun:
________. Closest planet to the Sun.
C. Eccentricity:
e = ______. Greatest in the solar system.
Distance from Sun
______________.
D. Surface:
_________. Lots of craters and no atmosphere.

E. Spin-Orbit Coupling:
____ spin-orbit coupling. ____ rotations
for every ___ orbits. Not synchronous
(1:1) like our Moon.
F. Average Temp:
________________
__________________
Day
Night
G. Small Elongation: ________. Hard to see because it is so close to
the Sun
I. Mercury
A. Size:
Smallest planet. _5.5% the mass_ of the Earth. 2 moons in
the solar system are larger, _Ganymede (Jupiter) and Titan
(Saturn)_.
B. Distance from Sun:
_0.39 AU_. Closest planet to the Sun.
C. Eccentricity:
e = ______. Greatest in the solar system.
Distance from Sun
______________.
D. Surface:
_________. Lots of craters and no atmosphere.

E. Spin-Orbit Coupling:
____ spin-orbit coupling. ____ rotations
for every ___ orbits. Not synchronous
(1:1) like our Moon.
F. Average Temp:
________________
__________________
Day
Night
G. Small Elongation: ________. Hard to see because it is so close to
the Sun
I. Mercury
A. Size:
Smallest planet. _5.5% the mass_ of the Earth. 2 moons in
the solar system are larger, _Ganymede (Jupiter) and Titan
(Saturn)_.
B. Distance from Sun:
_0.39 AU_. Closest planet to the Sun.
C. Eccentricity:
e = _0.206_. Greatest in the solar system.
Distance from Sun
_0.31 – 0.47 AU_.
D. Surface:
_________. Lots of craters and no atmosphere.

E. Spin-Orbit Coupling:
____ spin-orbit coupling. ____ rotations
for every ___ orbits. Not synchronous
(1:1) like our Moon.
F. Average Temp:
________________
__________________
Day
Night
G. Small Elongation: ________. Hard to see because it is so close to
the Sun
I. Mercury
A. Size:
Smallest planet. _5.5% the mass_ of the Earth. 2 moons in
the solar system are larger, _Ganymede (Jupiter) and Titan
(Saturn)_.
B. Distance from Sun:
_0.39 AU_. Closest planet to the Sun.
C. Eccentricity:
e = _0.206_. Greatest in the solar system.
Distance from Sun
_0.31 – 0.47 AU_.
D. Surface:
_Lunar-like_. Lots of craters and no atmosphere.

E. Spin-Orbit Coupling:
____ spin-orbit coupling. ____ rotations
for every ___ orbits. Not synchronous
(1:1) like our Moon.
F. Average Temp:
________________
__________________
Day
Night
G. Small Elongation: ________. Hard to see because it is so close to
the Sun
I. Mercury
A. Size:
Smallest planet. _5.5% the mass_ of the Earth. 2 moons in
the solar system are larger, _Ganymede (Jupiter) and Titan
(Saturn)_.
B. Distance from Sun:
_0.39 AU_. Closest planet to the Sun.
C. Eccentricity:
e = _0.206_. Greatest in the solar system.
Distance from Sun
_0.31 – 0.47 AU_.
D. Surface:
_Lunar-like_. Lots of craters and no atmosphere.

E. Spin-Orbit Coupling:
____ spin-orbit coupling. ____ rotations
for every ___ orbits. Not synchronous
(1:1) like our Moon.
F. Average Temp:
________________
__________________
Day
Night
G. Small Elongation: ________. Hard to see because it is so close to
the Sun
I. Mercury
A. Size:
Smallest planet. _5.5% the mass_ of the Earth. 2 moons in
the solar system are larger, _Ganymede (Jupiter) and Titan
(Saturn)_.
B. Distance from Sun:
_0.39 AU_. Closest planet to the Sun.
C. Eccentricity:
e = _0.206_. Greatest in the solar system.
Distance from Sun
_0.31 – 0.47 AU_.
D. Surface:
_Lunar-like_. Lots of craters and no atmosphere.

E. Spin-Orbit Coupling:
_3:2_ spin-orbit coupling. _3_ rotations
for every _2_ orbits. Not synchronous
(1:1) like our Moon.
F. Average Temp:
________________
__________________
Day
Night
G. Small Elongation: ________. Hard to see because it is so close to
the Sun
I. Mercury
A. Size:
Smallest planet. _5.5% the mass_ of the Earth. 2 moons in
the solar system are larger, _Ganymede (Jupiter) and Titan
(Saturn)_.
B. Distance from Sun:
_0.39 AU_. Closest planet to the Sun.
C. Eccentricity:
e = _0.206_. Greatest in the solar system.
Distance from Sun
_0.31 – 0.47 AU_.
D. Surface:
_Lunar-like_. Lots of craters and no atmosphere.

E. Spin-Orbit Coupling:
_3:2_ spin-orbit coupling. _3_ rotations
for every _2_ orbits. Not synchronous
(1:1) like our Moon.
F. Average Temp:
_425o C (= 800o F)_
_-170o C (= -275o F)_
Day
Night
G. Small Elongation: ________. Hard to see because it is so close to
the Sun
I. Mercury
A. Size:
Smallest planet. _5.5% the mass_ of the Earth. 2 moons in
the solar system are larger, _Ganymede (Jupiter) and Titan
(Saturn)_.
B. Distance from Sun:
_0.39 AU_. Closest planet to the Sun.
C. Eccentricity:
e = _0.206_. Greatest in the solar system.
Distance from Sun
_0.31 – 0.47 AU_.
D. Surface:
_Lunar-like_. Lots of craters and no atmosphere.

E. Spin-Orbit Coupling:
_3:2_ spin-orbit coupling. _3_ rotations
for every _2_ orbits. Not synchronous
(1:1) like our Moon.
F. Average Temp:
_425o C (= 800o F)_
_-170o C (= -275o F)_
Day
Night
G. Small Elongation: _28o max_. Hard to see because it is so close to
the Sun
Inner Planets
II. Venus
A. Size:
Just slightly _______ than Earth in both mass and volume.
B. Distance from Sun:
________.
C. Rotation:
_________________ rotation. This is the only
planet in the solar system that rotates
__________!
D. Average Temp:
________________. Hottest surface in the solar
system.
E. Atmosphere:
_____ Earth’s atmospheric pressure.
Mostly ___________
runaway green house
effect.
___________ clouds

II. Venus
A. Size:
Just slightly _smaller_ than Earth in both mass and volume.
B. Distance from Sun:
________.
C. Rotation:
_________________ rotation. This is the only
planet in the solar system that rotates
__________!
D. Average Temp:
________________. Hottest surface in the solar
system.
E. Atmosphere:
_____ Earth’s atmospheric pressure.
Mostly ___________
runaway green house
effect.
___________ clouds

II. Venus
A. Size:
Just slightly _smaller_ than Earth in both mass and volume.
B. Distance from Sun:
_0.72 AU_.
C. Rotation:
_________________ rotation. This is the only
planet in the solar system that rotates
__________!
D. Average Temp:
________________. Hottest surface in the solar
system.
E. Atmosphere:
_____ Earth’s atmospheric pressure.
Mostly ___________
runaway green house
effect.
___________ clouds

II. Venus
A. Size:
Just slightly _smaller_ than Earth in both mass and volume.
B. Distance from Sun:
_0.72 AU_.
C. Rotation:
_243 day retrograde_ rotation. This is the only
planet in the solar system that rotates
_backwards_!
D. Average Temp:
________________. Hottest surface in the solar
system.
E. Atmosphere:
_____ Earth’s atmospheric pressure.
Mostly ___________
runaway green house
effect.
___________ clouds

II. Venus
A. Size:
Just slightly _smaller_ than Earth in both mass and volume.
B. Distance from Sun:
_0.72 AU_.
C. Rotation:
_243 day retrograde_ rotation. This is the only
planet in the solar system that rotates
_backwards_!
D. Average Temp:
_460o C (= 860o F)_. Hottest surface in the solar
system.
E. Atmosphere:
_____ Earth’s atmospheric pressure.
Mostly ___________
runaway green house
effect.
___________ clouds

II. Venus
A. Size:
Just slightly _smaller_ than Earth in both mass and volume.
B. Distance from Sun:
_0.72 AU_.
C. Rotation:
_243 day retrograde_ rotation. This is the only
planet in the solar system that rotates
_backwards_!
D. Average Temp:
_460o C (= 860o F)_. Hottest surface in the solar
system.
E. Atmosphere:
_90 X_ Earth’s atmospheric pressure.
Mostly _CO2 (96.5%)_
runaway green house
effect.
_Sulfuric acid_ clouds

Inner Planets
III. Earth
A. Size:
________ terrestrial planet. ________ terrestrial planet
(large iron/nickel core).
B. Moon:
____________ relative to its size. The Moon helps keep
Earth’s _____________ stable at an angle of ______ with
respect to our orbit around the Sun. (This tilt produces the
________ .)
C. Magnetism:
The part of Earth’s core that is ______ produces a
_____________. This deflects harmful particles
from the Sun and space, _____________ on Earth.
D. Life and Liquid Water:
Earth is the ________________ that has
___________ on its surface and that
___________.
III. Earth
A. Size:
_Largest_ terrestrial planet. _Densest_ terrestrial planet
(large iron/nickel core).
B. Moon:
____________ relative to its size. The Moon helps keep
Earth’s _____________ stable at an angle of ______ with
respect to our orbit around the Sun. (This tilt produces the
________ .)
C. Magnetism:
The part of Earth’s core that is ______ produces a
_____________. This deflects harmful particles
from the Sun and space, _____________ on Earth.
D. Life and Liquid Water:
Earth is the ________________ that has
___________ on its surface and that
___________.
III. Earth
A. Size:
_Largest_ terrestrial planet. _Densest_ terrestrial planet
(large iron/nickel core).
B. Moon:
_Largest moon_ relative to its size. The Moon helps keep
Earth’s _rotational axis_ stable at an angle of _23.5o_ with
respect to our orbit around the Sun. (This tilt produces the
_seasons_ .)
C. Magnetism:
The part of Earth’s core that is ______ produces a
_____________. This deflects harmful particles
from the Sun and space, _____________ on Earth.
D. Life and Liquid Water:
Earth is the ________________ that has
___________ on its surface and that
___________.
Obliquity of the Planets
III. Earth
A. Size:
_Largest_ terrestrial planet. _Densest_ terrestrial planet
(large iron/nickel core).
B. Moon:
_Largest moon_ relative to its size. The Moon helps keep
Earth’s _rotational axis_ stable at an angle of _23.5o_ with
respect to our orbit around the Sun. (This tilt produces the
_seasons_ .)
C. Magnetism:
The part of Earth’s core that is ______ produces a
_____________. This deflects harmful particles
from the Sun and space, _____________ on Earth.
D. Life and Liquid Water:
Earth is the ________________ that has
___________ on its surface and that
___________.
III. Earth
A. Size:
_Largest_ terrestrial planet. _Densest_ terrestrial planet
(large iron/nickel core).
B. Moon:
_Largest moon_ relative to its size. The Moon helps keep
Earth’s _rotational axis_ stable at an angle of _23.5o_ with
respect to our orbit around the Sun. (This tilt produces the
_seasons_ .)
C. Magnetism:
The part of Earth’s core that is _liquid_ produces a
_magnetic field_. This deflects harmful particles
from the Sun and space, _protecting life_ on Earth.
D. Life and Liquid Water:
Earth is the ________________ that has
___________ on its surface and that
___________.
III. Earth
A. Size:
_Largest_ terrestrial planet. _Densest_ terrestrial planet
(large iron/nickel core).
B. Moon:
_Largest moon_ relative to its size. The Moon helps keep
Earth’s _rotational axis_ stable at an angle of _23.5o_ with
respect to our orbit around the Sun. (This tilt produces the
_seasons_ .)
C. Magnetism:
The part of Earth’s core that is _liquid_ produces a
_magnetic field_. This deflects harmful particles
from the Sun and space, _protecting life_ on Earth.
D. Life and Liquid Water:
Earth is the _only known planet_ that has
_liquid water_ on its surface and that
_supports life_.
Inner Planets
IV. Mars
A. Size:
______ the mass of Earth
B. Distance from the Sun: ________
C. Eccentricity:
e = ______ (____ greater than Earth’s)
______________ (Affected by ________)
D. Moons: ___ ________________
E. Atmosphere:
F. Temp:
Less than ____ Earth’s atmospheric pressure
Mostly _____
Max ______________
Min __________________
G. Largest:
Volcano _____________
Canyon ______________
H. Early History: Much _________________, more __________
I. Other: Axis tilted at ______  ________
______________ day
IV. Mars
A. Size:
_0.1 X_ the mass of Earth
B. Distance from the Sun: ________
C. Eccentricity:
e = ______ (____ greater than Earth’s)
______________ (Affected by ________)
D. Moons: ___ ________________
E. Atmosphere:
F. Temp:
Less than ____ Earth’s atmospheric pressure
Mostly _____
Max ______________
Min __________________
G. Largest:
Volcano _____________
Canyon ______________
H. Early History: Much _________________, more __________
I. Other: Axis tilted at ______  ________
______________ day
IV. Mars
A. Size:
_0.1 X_ the mass of Earth
B. Distance from the Sun: _1.52 AU_
C. Eccentricity:
e = ______ (____ greater than Earth’s)
______________ (Affected by ________)
D. Moons: ___ ________________
E. Atmosphere:
F. Temp:
Less than ____ Earth’s atmospheric pressure
Mostly _____
Max ______________
Min __________________
G. Largest:
Volcano _____________
Canyon ______________
H. Early History: Much _________________, more __________
I. Other: Axis tilted at ______  ________
______________ day
IV. Mars
A. Size:
_0.1 X_ the mass of Earth
B. Distance from the Sun: _1.52 AU_
C. Eccentricity:
e = _0.093_ (_5X_ greater than Earth’s)
_1.38 – 1.67 AU_ (Affected by _Jupiter_)
D. Moons: ___ ________________
E. Atmosphere:
F. Temp:
Less than ____ Earth’s atmospheric pressure
Mostly _____
Max ______________
Min __________________
G. Largest:
Volcano _____________
Canyon ______________
H. Early History: Much _________________, more __________
I. Other: Axis tilted at ______  ________
______________ day
IV. Mars
A. Size:
_0.1 X_ the mass of Earth
B. Distance from the Sun: _1.52 AU_
C. Eccentricity:
e = _0.093_ (_5X_ greater than Earth’s)
_1.38 – 1.67 AU_ (Affected by _Jupiter_)
D. Moons: _2_ _Phobos and Deimos_
E. Atmosphere:
F. Temp:
Less than ____ Earth’s atmospheric pressure
Mostly _____
Max ______________
Min __________________
G. Largest:
Volcano _____________
Canyon ______________
H. Early History: Much _________________, more __________
I. Other: Axis tilted at ______  ________
______________ day
IV. Mars
A. Size:
_0.1 X_ the mass of Earth
B. Distance from the Sun: _1.52 AU_
C. Eccentricity:
e = _0.093_ (_5X_ greater than Earth’s)
_1.38 – 1.67 AU_ (Affected by _Jupiter_)
D. Moons: _2_ _Phobos and Deimos_
E. Atmosphere:
F. Temp:
Less than _1%_ Earth’s atmospheric pressure
Mostly _CO2_
Max ______________
Min __________________
G. Largest:
Volcano _____________
Canyon ______________
H. Early History: Much _________________, more __________
I. Other: Axis tilted at ______  ________
______________ day
IV. Mars
A. Size:
_0.1 X_ the mass of Earth
B. Distance from the Sun: _1.52 AU_
C. Eccentricity:
e = _0.093_ (_5X_ greater than Earth’s)
_1.38 – 1.67 AU_ (Affected by _Jupiter_)
D. Moons: _2_ _Phobos and Deimos_
E. Atmosphere:
F. Temp:
Less than _1%_ Earth’s atmospheric pressure
Mostly _CO2_
Max _20o C (= 70o F)_
Min _-87o C (= -125o F)_
G. Largest:
Volcano _____________
Canyon ______________
H. Early History: Much _________________, more __________
I. Other: Axis tilted at ______  ________
______________ day
IV. Mars
A. Size:
_0.1 X_ the mass of Earth
B. Distance from the Sun: _1.52 AU_
C. Eccentricity:
e = _0.093_ (_5X_ greater than Earth’s)
_1.38 – 1.67 AU_ (Affected by _Jupiter_)
D. Moons: _2_ _Phobos and Deimos_
E. Atmosphere:
F. Temp:
Less than _1%_ Earth’s atmospheric pressure
Mostly _CO2_
Max _20o C (= 70o F)_
Min _-87o C (= -125o F)_
G. Largest:
Volcano _Olympus Mons_
Canyon _Valles Marineris_
H. Early History: Much _________________, more __________
I. Other: Axis tilted at ______  ________
______________ day
IV. Mars
A. Size:
_0.1 X_ the mass of Earth
B. Distance from the Sun: _1.52 AU_
C. Eccentricity:
e = _0.093_ (_5X_ greater than Earth’s)
_1.38 – 1.67 AU_ (Affected by _Jupiter_)
D. Moons: _2_ _Phobos and Deimos_
E. Atmosphere:
F. Temp:
Less than _1%_ Earth’s atmospheric pressure
Mostly _CO2_
Max _20o C (= 70o F)_
Min _-87o C (= -125o F)_
G. Largest:
Volcano _Olympus Mons_
Canyon _Valles Marineris_
H. Early History: Much _wetter and warmer_, more _atmosphere_
I. Other: Axis tilted at ______  ________
______________ day
IV. Mars
A. Size:
_0.1 X_ the mass of Earth
B. Distance from the Sun: _1.52 AU_
C. Eccentricity:
e = _0.093_ (_5X_ greater than Earth’s)
_1.38 – 1.67 AU_ (Affected by _Jupiter_)
D. Moons: _2_ _Phobos and Deimos_
E. Atmosphere:
F. Temp:
Less than _1%_ Earth’s atmospheric pressure
Mostly _CO2_
Max _20o C (= 70o F)_
Min _-87o C (= -125o F)_
G. Largest:
Volcano _Olympus Mons_
Canyon _Valles Marineris_
H. Early History: Much _wetter and warmer_, more _atmosphere_
I. Other: Axis tilted at _25.2o_  _seasons_
_24 hour 37 min_ day