components of the solar system review

8/3/2019 Components of the Solar System Review

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Components of the SolarComponents of the Solar

SystemSystem

Chapter 16Chapter 16


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Our Solar SystemOur Solar System

The solar system is the name given to theThe solar system is the name given to theplanetary system of which the Earth is a part.planetary system of which the Earth is a part.It also contains planets, moons, comets,It also contains planets, moons, comets,meteors and asteroids which are all heldmeteors and asteroids which are all heldtogether by the gravitational pull of a startogether by the gravitational pull of a starnamed the Sun.named the Sun.

As the Sun began to heat up, gravity began toAs the Sun began to heat up, gravity began to

pullpull--in dust an gases, which clumpedin dust an gases, which clumpedtogether and form our planets. Rocks that didtogether and form our planets. Rocks that didnot become large enough to form planetsnot become large enough to form planetsremained as asteroids.remained as asteroids.


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1616--1 Describing the Solar System1 Describing the Solar System

Ancient Greeks watched the stars in the sky. TheyAncient Greeks watched the stars in the sky. Theynoticed that some stars moved, they called thenoticed that some stars moved, they called the

objects planets which meant wandering star.objects planets which meant wandering star.

Geocentric SystemGeocentric System--Most Greek astronomers believedMost Greek astronomers believed

that Earth(geo) was at the center of the universe andthat Earth(geo) was at the center of the universe andeverything revolved around it.everything revolved around it.

Ptolemy believed in a geocentric system and thatPtolemy believed in a geocentric system and that

planets move on little circles that move on biggerplanets move on little circles that move on bigger

circles. His ideas were believed for over 1,400circles. His ideas were believed for over 1,400

years.years.


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Copernicus believed the sun was at the centerCopernicus believed the sun was at the centerof the universe.of the universe.

Heliocentric SystemHeliocentric System--stated that Earth and thestated that Earth and theother planets revolved around the Sun(Helios)other planets revolved around the Sun(Helios)

Galileo believed in the heliocentric system. HeGalileo believed in the heliocentric system. Hewas the 1was the 1stst scientist to use a telescope to lookscientist to use a telescope to lookat objects in the sky. He saw moons revolveat objects in the sky. He saw moons revolvearound Jupiter and Venus go through phasesaround Jupiter and Venus go through phasessimilar to our moon.similar to our moon.

This explained that Ptolemys geocentricThis explained that Ptolemys geocentricsystem could not be correct, so we have nowsystem could not be correct, so we have nownamed our universe the Solar System.named our universe the Solar System.


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Heliocentric System

Geocentric System


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In the late 1500s Tycho Brahe(Danish),In the late 1500s Tycho Brahe(Danish),observed the positions of the planets forobserved the positions of the planets foralmost 20 years.almost 20 years.

In the 1600s Johannes Kepler(GermanIn the 1600s Johannes Kepler(Germanmathematician), discovered that the orbitsmathematician), discovered that the orbitsof each planet is an ellipse, elongated circleof each planet is an ellipse, elongated circle

or oval shape.or oval shape.

Isaac Newton concluded that two factorsIsaac Newton concluded that two factorskeep the planets in orbitkeep the planets in orbit--gravity and inertia.gravity and inertia.

Inertia is the tendency of a moving object toInertia is the tendency of a moving object tostay in motion and a stationary object to staystay in motion and a stationary object to stayin place.in place.


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Gravity is the force that attracts all objectsGravity is the force that attracts all objectstoward one another. Gravity depends on thetoward one another. Gravity depends on the

masses of the object and the distance betweenmasses of the object and the distance betweenthem.them.

The solar system is a large system that consistsThe solar system is a large system that consistsof a combination of many smaller systems andof a combination of many smaller systems andobjects.objects.

It is hard to determine where our solar systemIt is hard to determine where our solar systemends. It ends at the point at which objects areends. It ends at the point at which objects are

no longer affected by the suns gravitationalno longer affected by the suns gravitationalpull, solar wind and the suns magnetic field.pull, solar wind and the suns magnetic field.Some believe it ends at the Oort Cloud outsideSome believe it ends at the Oort Cloud outsidethe Kuiper Belt.the Kuiper Belt.


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1616--2 Characteristics of the Sun2 Characteristics of the Sun

The sun is a ball of glowing gas and does notThe sun is a ball of glowing gas and does nothave a solid surface. The sun produceshave a solid surface. The sun produces

energy in a process know as nuclear fusion.energy in a process know as nuclear fusion.

Nuclear fusion is where hydrogen atoms joinNuclear fusion is where hydrogen atoms jointogether to form heliumtogether to form helium--this occurs underthis occurs under

extreme temperatures and pressure in theextreme temperatures and pressure in the

suns core.suns core.

The energy released includes light and heat,The energy released includes light and heat,

when it reaches Earth it is our main source ofwhen it reaches Earth it is our main source of

energy.energy.


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The sun has three layers:The sun has three layers:

The photosphere(light)The photosphere(light)--the inner layer,the inner layer,what you see when you look an image orwhat you see when you look an image or

photograph of the sunphotograph of the sun

The chromosphere(color)The chromosphere(color)--the middlethe middlelayer, what you see at the beginning andlayer, what you see at the beginning and

end of a total solar eclipse.end of a total solar eclipse.

The corona(crown)The corona(crown)--the outer layer, athe outer layer, awhite layer around the sun only visiblewhite layer around the sun only visible

during eclipses.during eclipses.


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Solar winds are a stream of electrically chargedSolar winds are a stream of electrically charged

particles sent out from the suns corona. Theyparticles sent out from the suns corona. They

can cause auroras if they enter our atmosphere.can cause auroras if they enter our atmosphere.

SunspotsSunspots--dark areas of gas on the sun that aredark areas of gas on the sun that are

cooler than other gases around them. Sunspotscooler than other gases around them. Sunspots

go through cycles every 10go through cycles every 10--11 years.11 years.ProminencesProminences--reddish loops of gas that linkreddish loops of gas that link

sunspot regions.sunspot regions.

Solar FlaresSolar Flares--explosions of hydrogen gas formedexplosions of hydrogen gas formedwhen loops in sunspot regions suddenly connect.when loops in sunspot regions suddenly connect.

They increase the solar winds, cause magneticThey increase the solar winds, cause magnetic

storms and can interfere with satellite signals.storms and can interfere with satellite signals.


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1616--3 The Inner Planets3 The Inner Planets

Known as the terrestrial planets(land/Earth)Known as the terrestrial planets(land/Earth)--thethefour inner planets are small and have rockyfour inner planets are small and have rockysurfaces.surfaces.

MercuryMercury--Closest to the sun with no moons, dueClosest to the sun with no moons, due

to no known atmosphere it has the greatestto no known atmosphere it has the greatestrange of temperatures of all planets.range of temperatures of all planets.

VenusVenus--Second planet from the sun, known asSecond planet from the sun, known asEarths twinEarths twin--it shines very bright in the sky. Itsit shines very bright in the sky. Itsday is longer than its year and it has a retrogradeday is longer than its year and it has a retrograderotation which means it rotates backwards.rotation which means it rotates backwards.Venus has a very thick, hot atmosphere causedVenus has a very thick, hot atmosphere causedby the trapping of heat or the greenhouse effect.by the trapping of heat or the greenhouse effect.


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EarthEarth--Third planet from the sun and the onlyThird planet from the sun and the only

planet with water and life as we know it.planet with water and life as we know it.MarsMars--Fourth planet from the sun and knownFourth planet from the sun and known

as the red planet. Mars has 2 moons andas the red planet. Mars has 2 moons and

an atmosphere made mostly carbon dioxide. Itan atmosphere made mostly carbon dioxide. It

has seasons like Earth because of the tilt of itshas seasons like Earth because of the tilt of its

axis.axis.


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1616--4 The Outer Planets4 The Outer Planets

The first four outer planets are much larger thanThe first four outer planets are much larger thanEarth, do not have solid surfaces and are knownEarth, do not have solid surfaces and are knownas gas giants. They are believed to have partlyas gas giants. They are believed to have partlysolid cores.solid cores.

JupiterJupiter--The largest planet in the solar system. ItThe largest planet in the solar system. Ithas a Great Red Spot storm, similar to ahas a Great Red Spot storm, similar to ahurricane on Earth. Jupiter has four mainhurricane on Earth. Jupiter has four mainmoons and about 17 others.moons and about 17 others.

SaturnSaturn--The second largest planet in the solarThe second largest planet in the solarsystem and the only planet less dense than water.system and the only planet less dense than water.Saturn has a visible ring system and severalSaturn has a visible ring system and severalmoons.moons.


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UranusUranus--The first planet discovered sinceThe first planet discovered since

ancient times by William Herschel, it looksancient times by William Herschel, it looksblue due to methane in its atmosphere.blue due to methane in its atmosphere.

Uranus has many moons and rotates on itsUranus has many moons and rotates on its

side.side.

NeptuneNeptune--Like Uranus, it has a blue, methaneLike Uranus, it has a blue, methane

atmosphere. It was discovered as a result of aatmosphere. It was discovered as a result of a

mathematical prediction. Neptune has fastermathematical prediction. Neptune has faster

winds than any other planet.winds than any other planet.PlutoPluto--The fifth outer planet, it is differentThe fifth outer planet, it is different

from the other outer planets, because it isfrom the other outer planets, because it is

small and rocky like the inner planets.small and rocky like the inner planets.


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1616--5 Comets, Asteroids and Meteors5 Comets, Asteroids and Meteors

Like each planet, each comet is a small system within theLike each planet, each comet is a small system within thelarge solar system.large solar system.

Comets(long haired stars)Comets(long haired stars)-- are large chunks of ice and dustare large chunks of ice and dust

whose orbits are usually very long, narrow ellipses. They arewhose orbits are usually very long, narrow ellipses. They are

similar to a dirty snowball about the size of a mountain onsimilar to a dirty snowball about the size of a mountain on

Earth. Comets have three parts: The comaEarth. Comets have three parts: The coma--an outer layeran outer layermade of dust and gas, the nucleusmade of dust and gas, the nucleus--the inner layer and thethe inner layer and the

tailtail--gas and dust pushed away by solar winds. Halley andgas and dust pushed away by solar winds. Halley and

HaleHale--Bob are two well known comets.Bob are two well known comets.


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Asteroids are objects too small and numerous to beAsteroids are objects too small and numerous to be

called planets. Asteroids were first discovered incalled planets. Asteroids were first discovered in

18011801--1807 between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter,1807 between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter,an area now known as the asteroid belt. Some wellan area now known as the asteroid belt. Some well

known asteroids are Ceres, Pallas, Juno, and Vesta.known asteroids are Ceres, Pallas, Juno, and Vesta.

An asteroid hit Earth about 65 million years ago andAn asteroid hit Earth about 65 million years ago and

Scientists believe this caused dinosaurs to becomeScientists believe this caused dinosaurs to becomeextinct.extinct.

Asteroid Belt


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A meteoroid is a chunk of rock orA meteoroid is a chunk of rock ordust in space that usually comesdust in space that usually comes

from comets or asteroids.from comets or asteroids.

A meteor is a streak of light you seeA meteor is a streak of light you seewhen a meteoroid has encounteredwhen a meteoroid has encounteredfriction in Earths atmosphere andfriction in Earths atmosphere andburned up. Meteor showers occurburned up. Meteor showers occurseveral times a year.several times a year.

A meteorite is a meteoroid that hasA meteorite is a meteoroid that haspassed through Earths atmospherepassed through Earths atmosphereand hit Earths surface. If largeand hit Earths surface. If large

enough they can ca

use craters.eno

ugh they can ca

use craters.

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