Ch. 18 Lesson 2What are the inner

planets?

The Inner Planets

Mercury•Little bigger than Earth’s moon

•covered w/ craters

• No atmosphere- very hot during day & cold @ night

• Visited by Mariner 10 space probe

• no moons

Venus•Thick atmosphere of sulfuric acid clouds

•No moons

Venus•About same size as Earth

•Brightest object in night sky

Earth•only planet w/ life & liquid water

•protected by atmosphere

•1 moon

Mars•“Red Planet”- iron oxide

•2 moons- Phobos & Deimos

•2 moons- Phobos & Deimos

Mars rovers1.Sojourner

2.Viking 1

3.Spirit & Opportunity

•many volcanoes

Mars

Name that inner

planet

no moons

only planet with life

“Red Planet”

about same size as Earth

2 moons

poisonous clouds

no atmosphere

brightest object in night sky

similar to Earth’s moon

visited by rovers

covered with craters

liquid water

covered with iron oxide