1Overview of the Overview of the PlanetsPlanetsPSC 203PSC 203OverviewOverviewIn this section:In this section:How are the planets categorized?How are the planets categorized?What are the general characteristics of the What are the general characteristics of the planets?planets?Planets ReviewPlanets ReviewGeneral Definition of a planet?General Definition of a planet?List the planetsList the planetsOrder from SunOrder from SunRelative Sizes of the planetsRelative Sizes of the planetsDistances between planetsDistances between planetsOther propertiesOther propertiesWhat properties could we use to describe What properties could we use to describe and classify the planets?and classify the planets?Brainstorming …Brainstorming …ObservationsObservationsHow do we study the planets?How do we study the planets?Reflected sunlight gives imagesReflected sunlight gives imagesSpace probes collect dataSpace probes collect dataOrbital data from moonsOrbital data from moonsComputer models to test ideasComputer models to test ideas2Classical CategoriesClassical CategoriesInner Terrestrial PlanetsInner Terrestrial PlanetsEarth like planetsEarth like planetsMercury, Venus, Earth, MarsMercury, Venus, Earth, MarsOuter Jovian PlanetsOuter Jovian PlanetsJupiter like planetsJupiter like planetsJupiter, Saturn, Uranus, NeptuneJupiter, Saturn, Uranus, NeptuneTerrestrial PlanetsTerrestrial PlanetsRelatively small sizeRelatively small sizeRocky compositionRocky compositionRelatively warmRelatively warmFew if any moonsFew if any moonsJovian PlanetsJovian PlanetsRelatively large sizeRelatively large sizeGaseous compositionGaseous compositionRelatively coldRelatively coldMany moons and ringsMany moons and ringsWhy???Why???What causes this pattern of properties What causes this pattern of properties between the terrestrial and jovian planets?between the terrestrial and jovian planets?Your thoughts …Your thoughts …Discussion …Discussion …To be continued …To be continued …AppearanceAppearanceEach planet has a different appearanceEach planet has a different appearanceWorldWorld--wide telescope tourwide telescope tourGoogleGoogleimage searchimage search3AppearanceAppearanceThe following images are posted for easier The following images are posted for easier viewing of the notes on the course viewing of the notes on the course websitewebsiteMercuryMercuryVenusVenusEarthEarthMarsMarsJupiterJupiter4SaturnSaturnUranusUranusNeptuneNeptuneCharacteristicsCharacteristicsEach planet has some characteristics that Each planet has some characteristics that help it stand out from the others. help it stand out from the others. List some that you know of as we get to List some that you know of as we get to each one…each one…MercuryMercuryClass provided answers…Class provided answers…Looks like the moonLooks like the moonNo atmosphereNo atmosphereLots of cratersLots of cratersWide temperature variation between light and Wide temperature variation between light and dark sidesdark sidesVenusVenusClass provided answers…Class provided answers…Very hot (can melt lead)Very hot (can melt lead)Clouds of Sulfuric acid (light yellow color)Clouds of Sulfuric acid (light yellow color)Volcanoes on surfaceVolcanoes on surfaceCarbon dioxide atmosphereCarbon dioxide atmosphere5EarthEarthClass provided answers…Class provided answers…Home to all known lifeHome to all known lifeLiquid waterLiquid waterOxygen in atmosphereOxygen in atmosphereMarsMarsClass provided answers…Class provided answers…Red appearanceRed appearanceThin atmosphereThin atmosphereOld mountainsOld mountainsFrozen water ice and dry iceFrozen water ice and dry iceIndications of warmer pastIndications of warmer pastJupiterJupiterClass provided answers…Class provided answers…Largest planetLargest planetMultiMulti--colored bands of cloudscolored bands of cloudsGreat red spot hurricaneGreat red spot hurricaneMany other swirling stormsMany other swirling stormsSaturnSaturnClass provided answers…Class provided answers…Bright rings (ice crystals)Bright rings (ice crystals)Light yellow color (ammonia clouds)Light yellow color (ammonia clouds)Faint bands show stormsFaint bands show stormsUranusUranusClass provided answers…Class provided answers…Pale blue color (methane)Pale blue color (methane)Rotates on sideRotates on sideFaint bands in atmosphereFaint bands in atmosphereNeptuneNeptuneClass provided answers…Class provided answers…Dark blue color (methane)Dark blue color (methane)Noticeable storms and cloud bandsNoticeable storms and cloud bandsPartial Partial tilttilt6InIn--class activityclass activityIn groups of 2In groups of 2--3, 3, For each planet:For each planet:List one significant feature related to its List one significant feature related to its appearance and appearance and List one significant feature related to any List one significant feature related to any characteristic other than appearance characteristic other than