What makes our solar system so spectacular is that each of the planets has its own unique characteristics and none are the same. Even in the entire galaxy and beyond, no planet has been found similar to Earth. Well, almost. Space exploration is increasing and the distances we travel are beginning to get easier, which is very exciting!
Mercury
- Mercury is the closest planet to the sun, but not the hottest planet in our solar system!
- Mercury has no atmosphere
- Because of its proximity to the Sun, it has a surface that has continuously been bombarded by meteors and comets, which makes it the bumpiest planet!.
Venus
- This is the hottest planet in the entire solar system of which temperatures can get to over 462 degrees!
- Venus has a very dense atmosphere of carbon dioxide
- The surface shows very little geological activity, meaning that there are no rocks, but mainly sulphuric acid!
Earth
- Earth is the only planet that we know of that has liquid water and a temperature that can sustain life.
- Earth is the only planet able to currently sustain life in the solar system, or even the galaxy that we know of.
- Our world is changing rapidly, and the future may change the entire environment on Earth.
Mars
- Mars has a thin atmosphere of carbon dioxide
- The planet is very similar to Earth, which made NASA send the Mars Curiosity to the planet to do research and see if humans are able to live on the planet!
- Similar to Earth, Mars has two very distinct polar ice caps
- Mars also has the largest canyon and the highest volcano, discovered to date, in the solar system.
- Here is another excellent link to learn more about the red planet!
- Have a look at the planet
- What would it be like to live on Mars?
Jupiter
- The largest planet and first gas giant is Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
Pluto
- Currently, this is the most interesting planet in our solar system. We have never seen up close photos of Pluto, until recently.
- New Horizons had the mission to travel to the Kuiper belt and Pluto to discover this planet never encountered before!
- Pluto is a small rocky planet but with icy mountains currently there
- Pluto is the farthest planet from the Sun
- Pluto has an odd and very elliptical orbit, during its orbit, it actually gets closer to the sun than Neptune and Uranus.
- Before, Pluto was not considered a planet, as it was smaller than other Moons in our solar system. So, most astronomers labelled Pluto as a satellite.
- Some still say Pluto is not a planet, but NASA is willing to label it as a planet in our solar system
Kuipers Belt
- Although not a planet, it is still very interesting to look at and know what it is doing in our solar system.
- This asteroid belt is a region that contains thousands of pieces of rock which some astronomers believe could have made a planet
- But, due to the gravitational tugging from Jupiter it was unable to form.
TRY IT!
Go to http://www.google.ca/sky/ and see if you are able to find our planets from the solar system. You will notice from this application that we are not alone in space! (Planets that is, no aliens found yet) Take a look around and really discover how big the universe really is. We will discuss contellations and galaxies in our next unit!
Assignment
To end the lesson, please create a Powtoon or Pixton for a planet of your choice. You may use another form of technology, but if it is not on the list from the instructions page, please talk to Mr. B!
If you have time, please respond to the class online poll at pollev.com/kinglywinter329
Go to http://www.google.ca/sky/ and see if you are able to find our planets from the solar system. You will notice from this application that we are not alone in space! (Planets that is, no aliens found yet) Take a look around and really discover how big the universe really is. We will discuss contellations and galaxies in our next unit!
Assignment
To end the lesson, please create a Powtoon or Pixton for a planet of your choice. You may use another form of technology, but if it is not on the list from the instructions page, please talk to Mr. B!
- The material inside the cartoon will be based off of your notes.
- Simply copy and paste your interview with the planet and make a fun cartoon!
- You will need to have two characters in your cartoon, and the planet can be a person if there is no option to have a planet as an object.
- You will need at least 6 cartoon boxes of interaction.
- Once finished, please share your link into your Google folder where you are storing all of your work.
- Also, please add your link to the classroom Google Doc and make a positive comment on one of your classmates creation, not your own. Please remember online etiquette, citizenship, and proper communication!
If you have time, please respond to the class online poll at pollev.com/kinglywinter329