The Solar System Missions

planets not shown to scale >>

                                                                                                                                          

Mercury Venus Earth Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune Pluto

Mean Distance from the Sun (AU) 0.3871 0.7233 1 1.524 5.203 9.539 19.19 30.06 39.48

Sidereal period of orbit (years) 0.24 0.62 1 1.88 11.86 29.46 84.01 164.79 248.54

Mean Orbital Velocity (km/sec) 47.89 35.04 29.79 24.14 13.06 9.64 6.81 5.43 4.74

Orbital  Eccentricity 0.206 0.007 0.017 0.093 0.048 0.056 0.046 0.010 0.248

Inclination to ecliptic (degrees) 7.00 3.40 0 1.85 1.30 2.49 0.77 1.77 17.15

Equatorial Radius (km) 2439 6052 6378 3397 71490 60268 25559 25269 1160

Polar Radius (km) same same 6357 3380 66854 54360 24973 24340 same

Mass of planet (Earth=1) 0.06 0.82 1 0.11 317.89 95.18 14.53 17.14 0.002

Mean density (grams/centimeter³ ) 5.43 5.25 5.52 3.95 1.33 0.69 1.29 1.64 2.03

Body rotation period (hours) 1408 5832 23.93 24.62 9.92 10.66 17.24 16.11 153.3

Tilt of equator to orbit (degrees) 2 177.3 23.45 25.19 3.12 26.73 97.86 29.6 122.46

Number of observed satellites 0 0 1 2 >28 30 24 8 4

http://www.nineplanets.org/earth.html

http://www.skyscopes.com/

Jupiter

Jupiter is larger than all the other planets combined. It gives off nearly twice as much energy as it receives. Jupiter also has the strongest magnetic field of all the planets. Jupiter is composed mostly of hydrogen and helium. It has no solid surface, only layers of gaseous clouds. The diameter of Jupiter is 142,800 kilometers. It revolves around the Sun in 11.86 Earth years. 

Jupiter

Lord of the SkyJupiter or Zeus in Greek, is considered the most powerful god. He is the son of Cronus, a Titan, along with his other brothers and sisters. After a long war with his father, Jupiter and his brothers Neptune and Pluto each rolled a dice to see what area of the earth they shall rule. Jupiter got the heavens, Neptune, the sea, and the unlucky Pluto, the underworld. Jupiter married his sister Hera, who was always jealous of Jupiter and his many wives. He is the god with the most wives. Jupiter usually fell in love with nymphs, mortals and sometimes, goddesses. He can transform himself into animal he wishes to kidnap someone he loves. There are other names for Jupiter, such as Lord of the Sky, the Rain God, and the Cloud Gatherer. The bird sacred to him is the eagle and the oak tree. In astrology, Jupiter represents physical, intellectual, luck, success and power.

Jupiter

Jupiter Facts Sheet:

Type: Jovian

Mass of planet (Earth=1) = 317.89Mean density (grams/centimeter³ ) = 1.33

Interior: primarily that of simple molecules such as hydrogen and helium, which are liquids under the high pressure environments found in the interiors of Jupiter.

Surface: None

Water:

Atmosphere: ammonia, methane, helium, hydrogen, and sulfur.

Moons: > 28

Jupiter

The Giant planets do not have the same layered structure that the terrestrial planets do. Their evolution was quite different than that of the terrestrial planets, and they have less solid material inside. Jupiter's interior composition is primarily that of simple molecules such as hydrogen and helium, which are liquids under the high pressure environments found in the interiors of the outer planets, and not solids. Motions in the interior of Jupiter contribute in a very special way to the development of the powerful and extensive magnetosphere of Jupiter. Heat generated within Jupiter contributes to the unusual motions of the atmosphere.

Jupiter

The king of planets is aptly named because it not only has the most dymanic atmospheric motion, but also the most riveting cloud patterns and storms, and the most majestic appearance of the giant planets. The dramatic appearance of Jupiter stems partially because the composition of Jupiter's atmosphere includes complex molecules such as ammonia and methane, as well as simple molecules such as helium, hydrogen, and sulfur.The atmosphere of Jupiter is only a narrow surface layer, compared to the vast interior of the planet. The three clouddecks of Jupiter are to be found at different levels in the troposphere, while hazes of smog can be found higher in the atmosphere. Jupiter is not much changed from its early evolution out of the primordial solar nebula, and in fact, may still be evolving.

This is a three-color filter image of Jupiter and Io. It was taken on June 10, 1979 by Voyager 2. (Courtesy of NASA)

An image of Jupiter's Great Red Spot taken by the Galileo spacecraft. (Courtesy of NASA)

This composite of the Galilean Satellites shows images of the moons taken by the Galileo spacecraft, as well as details from the surfaces of the moons.

This is an image of Io. It is the innermost of the Galilean moons and the third largest. (Courtesy of NASA)(39K JPG

Io, taken by the Galileo spacecraft. (Courtesy of NASA)

This is a three-color image of the satellite Europa taken March 4, 1979 by Voyager 1. It is the size of Earth's moon. (Courtesy of NASA)

This is a close-up image of the Europa taken by Voyager. (Courtesy of NASA)

This is a close-up image of Europa in false color taken by the Galileo spacecraft. (Courtesy of NASA)

This is a natural-color image of Ganymede, Jupiter's largest satellite and is the third of the Galilean moons. (Courtesy of NASA)

This is an image of Ganymede taken by Voyager showing the ancient "dark terrain". (Courtesy of NASA)

This is a three-color filter image of Callisto, one of Jupiter's satellites taken by Voyager 2. The bright spots here are meteorite impact craters. (Courtesy of NASA)

This is a close-up image of Callisto taken by Voyager 1. (Courtesy of NASA)

A new study has evidence that Jupiter's moon Europa is full of salt water. Previous studies have indicated that the surface of Europa is ice. Scientists were wondering what was underneath this ice. With the help of the Galileo spacecraft, we may finally have the answer. It all started when Galileo found a magnetic pole on Europa. NASA sent the spacecraft back for another look, and data shows that the pole moves every few hours. Scientists say this movement is most likely caused by salt water. Scientists are hoping the Europa orbiter can finally prove their theory when starts its journey in 2003. Until then, we will still speculate that water exists on this cold moon. If water does exist, then there is a good chance that life is there as well. "After Mars, (Europa is) the most attractive extraterrestrial environment within our solar system in which to seek evidence of past or present life," on scientist wrote.

What’s New???

The Galileo spacecraft photographed volcanoes on the surface of Io, one of Jupiter's moons. Scientists believe there are at least 300 volcanoes on the moon. These volcanoes are somewhat different than those on Earth. The small ones can erupt and then quickly turn dorment in weeks. Other ones stay active for many years at a time. Last month, Galileo spotted large clouds of sulfur gas in the atmosphere and yellow snow that precipitated down from them. Galileo will continue to study Jupiter and its satellites, turning next to the moon Ganymede and Jupiter's Great Red Spot.

This shows an active volcanic region on Io. The yellow and orange area is newly formed lava, and the dark areas show lava that has cooled down.Courtesy of NASA

What’s New???

Saturn

Saturn is very similar to Jupiter. It is composed of 97% hydrogen, 3% helium and 0.5% methane. There is no solid. Saturn’s diameter in kilometers is 120,660. Its rotation period takes about 10.2 Earth hours. Saturn completes its revolution around then Sun for 29.46 Earth years.

Saturn

Saturn is also known Cronus; he is one of Titans to overthrow father sky or Uranus with a scythe and throwing his body parts into the sea, which created Venus, Furies, and some giants and nymphs. Cronus and Rhea (Cronusís sister) had six children. Cronus was afraid that his own children would overthrow him just like his father, so he decided to swallow them immediately, except the child Jupiter. Rhea decided to wrap cloths around a stone for Cronus to swallow, and put Jupiter with two nymphs and a goat to take care of him. When he was old enough, he thanked the two nymphs by taking the goatís horn and turned it into a cornicopia, (named after the goat) with fruits inside and putting the goatís image among the stars as the constellation Capricorn. Later, his mother helped Jupiter take out all the children that Cronus had eaten, Jupiter, along with his sisters and brothers fought Cronus and the other Titans and put them in the underworld to live forever except his mother, Rhea as thanks. In astrology, Neptune, is known as the grim reaper and symbolizes responsibilities, restrictions and limitations. He also represents peace and his symbol represents a scythe.

Saturn

Saturn Facts Sheet:

Type: Jovian

Mass of planet (Earth=1) = 95.18Mean density (grams/centimeter³ ) = 0.69

Interior: Saturn's interior composition is primarily that of simple molecules such as hydrogen and helium, which are liquids under the high pressure environments found in the interiors of the outer planets, and not solids.

Surface: None

Water:

Atmosphere: ammonia, methane, helium, hydrogen, and sulfur.

Moons: 30

This is an image of a storm on Saturn taken by the Hubble Space Telescope. (Courtesy of Reta Beebe (New Mexico State

This is an image of Saturn taken by Voyager 2 on July 21, 1981. The moons, Rhea and Dione, appear as blue dots to the south and southeast of Saturn

This is a color image of Saturn's satellite Rhea taken by Voyager 1 on November 12, 1980.

This is a color enhanced image of Saturn's satellite Enceladus taken by Voyager 1 on November 12, 1980.

This is a color image of Saturn's satellite Dione taken by Voyager 1 on November 12, 1980. Some of the bright streaks may actually be factures in the surface.

This is a color image of Saturn's satellite Mimas taken by Voyager 1 on November 12, 1980. The circular object is a massive crater on Mimas.

Saturn's moon Mimas (left) compared to the fictional 1977 Star Wars 'Death Star', (right) which used its large depression as a 'superlaser focus lens' to exact planet-scale revenge. Image Credit: NASA/JPL

This is a color image of Saturn's satellite Tethys taken by Voyager 1 on November 12, 1980. Its surface is heavily cratered.

Cassini's ability to remain precisely and steadily pointed at targets, such as Saturn's moon Mimas (seen here) yields sharp images despite the relatively high speed at which the spacecraft moves. Cassini was traveling at more than 13 kilometers per second when it acquired this view, which shows crisp detail on Mimas (397 kilometers, 247 miles across) against the backdrop of Saturn's northern hemisphere. Shadows of the icy rings stretch across the atmosphere and are blurred due to spacecraft motion.. The part of Mimas visible here always faces away from Saturn as the moon orbits the giant planet. In scientific language, the moon is said to be "phase-locked." The image has been rotated so that north on Mimas (and Saturn) is up. This view was obtained with the Cassini spacecraft narrow angle camera on Jan. 18, 2005, at a distance of approximately 1.25 million kilometers (777,000 miles) from Mimas and at a Sun-Mimas-spacecraft, or phase, angle of 114 degrees. The image was taken using a combination of spectral filters sensitive to wavelengths of infrared and polarized light. Resolution in the image is 7 kilometers (4 miles) per pixel. The image has been contrast-enhanced to aid visibility.

What’s New???

Original Caption Released with Image: This composite was produced from images returned yesterday, January 14, 2005, by the European Space Agency's Huygens probe during its successful descent to land on Titan. It shows a full 360-degree view around Huygens. The left-hand side, behind Huygens, shows a boundary between light and dark areas. The white streaks seen near this boundary could be ground 'fog,' as they were not immediately visible from higher altitudes. As the probe descended, it drifted over a plateau (center of image) and was heading towards its landing site in a dark area (right). From the drift of the probe, the wind speed has been estimated at around 6-7 kilometers (about 4 miles) per hour. These images were taken from an altitude of about 8 kilometers (about 5 miles) with a resolution of about 20 meters (about 65 feet) per pixel. The images were taken by the Descent Imager/Spectral Radiometer, one of two NASA instruments on the probe. The Cassini-Huygens mission is a cooperative project of NASA, the European Space Agency and the Italian Space Agency. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a division of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, manages the Cassini-Huygens mission for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, Washington, D.C. The Cassini orbiter and its two onboard cameras were designed, developed and assembled at JPL. The Descent Imager/Spectral team is based at the University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz. For more information about the Cassini-Huygens mission visit http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/home/index.cfm .

What’s New???

Uranus

Its denser than Jupiter and Saturn. Uranus is composed of hydrogen, helium, substantial amounts of water, and some methane, ammonia, rock and metal. The amounts of methane in its upper atmosphere give the planet its blue-green color. The core of Uranus is mostly rock and metal. It rotates clockwise every 17 hours. Uranus revolves around the Sun in 84 Earth years.

Uranus

Father Sky

Uranus is also known as Father Sky and the son of Gaea. He and Gaea had many children including Cyclops, the hundred-headed, and the Titans. Since Uranus didnít like the way they looked, he treated them very badly and locked them deep inside the earth. Gaea was very mad and asked one of the Titans to overthrow their father with a scythe. Uranus is known as the father of the sky and sometimes the universe. He symbolizes science, media, computers and technology. Most of Uranusís moons are named after mythology or Shakespearean characters.

Uranus

Uranus Facts Sheet:

Type: Jovian

Mass of planet (Earth=1) = 14.53 Mean density (grams/centimeter³ ) = 1.29

Interior: Uranus's interior composition is primarily that of methane ice.

Surface:

Water:

Atmosphere: The uniformity of the planet's appearance confirms that the planet's atmosphere is composed almost solely of one element, methane gas.

Moons: 24

Uranus

The Giant planets do not have the same kind of structure inside that the terrestrial planets do. Their evolution was quite different than that of the terrestrial planets, and they have much more gas and ice inside. Uranus's interior composition is primarily that of methane ice. Motions in the interior of Uranus contribute to the formation of the magnetosphere of Uranus. Heat generated within Uranus contributes to the unusual motions of the atmosphere.

This is an image of the Epsilon ring on Uranus.

Miranda

This is an image of Miranda's surface called the chevron.

This is an image of Ariel. This satellite has many craters.

This is another image of Ariel, showing a complex array of valleys and impact craters.

This is a mosaic of Ariel created from Voyager images

Neptune

Like other gaseous planets, Neptune rotates rapidly once every 16.1 Earth hours. It takes 164.8 Earth years for Neptune to revolve around the Sun. Neptune is composed of 74% hydrogen, 25% helium and 1% methane at the depth of the planet. Its diameter is 49,528 kilometers.

Neptune

God of the SeaNeptune is the god of the sea and his Greek name is Poseidon. His symbol is a trident or a fishing spear. He uses the trident. He is the son of Cronus and Rhea and brothers with Jupiter and Neptune. Neptune ruled a beautiful palace under the sea. Neptune had many children and lovers, including the Cyclopes. He has a throne on Mount Olympus. The trident he carries can create terrible sea storms and also was used in the battle against the Titans and is often called the ìEarth-Shakerî. Neptune is believed to have created the horse, and it is associated with Neptune. In astrology, Neptune represents spirituality, and imagination.

Neptune

Neptune Facts Sheet:

Type: Jovian

Mass of planet (Earth=1) = 17.14Mean density (grams/centimeter³ ) = 1.64

Interior: Neptune's interior composition is primarily that of methane ice, just as Uranus' is.

Surface:

Water:

Atmosphere: The composition of Neptune clouds is thought to be methane crystals.

Moons: 8

The Giant planets do not have the same kind of structure inside that the terrestrial planets do. Their evolution was quite different than that of the terrestrial planets, and they have much more gas and ice inside. Neptune's interior composition is primarily that of methane ice, just as Uranus' is. Motions in the interior of Neptune contribute to the formation of the magnetosphere of Neptune. Heat generated within Neptune contributes to the unusual strength and motions of the atmosphere.

Neptune

This is an image showing crescents of Neptune and its moon Triton taken by Voyager 2 on August 31, 1989.

This is an image showing the disappearance of the Great Dark Spot taken by the Hubble Space Telescope. The second picture was taken about 9 hours later showing the opposite hemisphere.

This is a closer view of the Great Dark Spot and the Scooter. The Scooter is small and bright and to the left of the dark spot. This image was taken on the Voyager Mission in August 1989.

This is true-color image of clouds east of the Great Dark Spot taken by the Voyager 2.

This is a color image of Triton taken by Voyager 2 in August 1989. Triton is Neptune's largest satellite.

This is an image of Proteus, the first of six new moons discovered by Voyager 2.