Planetary Characteristics

Question 1

Mercury

Answer 1

Closest planet to the sun, no moons, 70% metallic, 80 earth days/yr, rocky planet, hot
No atmosphere

Question 2

Venus

Answer 2

0.72 AU from sun, third smallest, avg temp 464*C, rotates clockwise, rocky planet with iron core, no moons
Carbon dioxide and nitrogen atmosphere

Question 3

Earth

Answer 3

Slowly losing moon, molten core, densest planet, sustains life,
nitrogen-oxygen atmosphere

Question 4

Mars

Answer 4

Composed of iron, nickle, sulfur; 2 moons; carbon dioxide, argon and nitrogen atmosphere; temp range -225 to 70 C

Question 5

Jupiter

Answer 5

Gas giant, hydrogen + helium; “failed star”; 4 moons, hydrogen, helium and methane atmosphere; -110*C avg; biggest planet

Question 6

Saturn

Answer 6

8 Ice rings; gas giant; 146 moons; 2nd largest; Hydrogen, helium, methane atmosphere

Question 7

Uranus

Answer 7

Composed of frozen water, methane, and ammonia; 28 small moons; -196*C (cold); hydrogen, helium, methane atmosphere; 13 rings; ice giant

Question 8

Neptune

Answer 8

-214 Celsius; 16 moons; hydrogen helium methane atmosphere; 3 faint rings; smallest gas giant; only planet in solar system invisible to human eyes