30.2 Vocab Flashcards
The smallest and closest planet to the Sun
Mercury
The second closest planet to the Sun
Venus
The third planet from the Sun
Earth
The fourth planet from the Sun
Mars
How did the solar system form?
A nebula collapsed
When did the solar system form?
4.6 billion years ago
What is Mercury’s atmosphere like?
It has no true atmosphere
Which planet is considered Earth’s sister planet?
Venus
What is Venus’ atmosphere like?
Very dense and hot
What states can water exist in on Earth?
Solid, Liquid, & Gas
What is another name for Mars?
The Red Planet
Why is Mars red?
The iron oxide
How many moons does Mars have?
2
What are the names of Mars’ moons?
Phobos & Deimos
What does Phobos mean?
Fear
What does Deimos mean?
Panic
What was the mission of Spirit and Opportunity?
To search for liquid water on Mars
What did Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter discover on Mars?
Sediment layering & gullies
What did Mariner 9 discover?
Valles Marineris (a large canyon) & extinct volcanoes
What was Viking One and Two’s mission?
To photograph Mars’ entire surface
What did Global Surveryor do for Mars?
Discovered that the Valles Marineris walls are similar to those of the Grand Canyon
What did Mars Odyssey discover on Mars?
There’s water as frost beneath a thin later of soil
What data was gathered by the Mars Pathfinder and its rover Sojourner?
Iron in Mar’s crust may have been leached out by groundwater
Where did the Curiosity rover land?
The Gale Crater on Mars
What were the rover’s goals
Look at Mar’s climate and geology
Collect evidence for microbial life
Study planetary habitability for future human exploration
