world geography chapter 2 section 1 the earth our solar system
TRANSCRIPT
WORLD GEOGRAPHY
Chapter 2Section 1The Earth
Our Solar System
Our Solar System
• The Sun, a star, is the center of our solar system.• It is about 109 times bigger than
our Earth.• 93 million miles from Earth.
OUR OWN STAR!!
The Planets:Neighbors in Space
• Eight planets exist in our solar
system.• Except for Mercury and Venus,
all have satellites called moons.
Pluto is no
longerconside
red aplanet.
Terrestrial Planets• Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars.• All have solid rocky crusts.• Mercury and Venus are scalding hot.• Mars is a cold barren desert.• Only Earth has liquid water on the surface
and can support varieties of life.
Terrestrial Planets
Frank and Erneston Planets
Gas Giant Planets
• Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.• More gaseous, less dense, and larger than the
terrestrial planets.• Each is like a miniature solar systems, with
orbiting moons and thin, encircling rings.• Saturn’s rings can be easily seen from Earth.
Gas Giant Planets
SATURNRINGS CAN BE SEEN FROM PLANET EARTH
Asteroids
• Small, irregularly shaped, planet-like objects.• Mainly found between the orbits of Mars and
Jupiter in a region called the asteroid belt.• A few asteroids follow paths that cross the
earth’s orbit.
Asteroid Belt
COMETS
• Made of icy dust particles and frozen gases.• Look like bright balls with long,
feathery tails.• Orbits are inclined at every possible
angle to the earth’s orbit.
HALLEY’S COMET
Halley’s Comet
• The comet was named in honor of Edmond Halley, who predicted its appearance in 1758.
• The average period of Halley‘s orbit is 76 years.
• Its most famous appearance was in 1066 when it was seen at the Battle of Hastings.
• Its next passage will be in 2062.
METEOROIDS
• Chunks of rock and iron.• Atmospheric friction usually burns them
up before they reach the earth’s surface.• Called Meteorites when they collide with
the earth.• A giant meteorite about 65 million years
ago may have caused the end of the dinosaurs.
EARTH
• Not a perfect sphere.• The diameter at the Equator is about 7,930• miles.• Has a circumference of about 24,900 miles.
OUR MARBLE
BLUE
The watery areas of the earth, including oceans,lakes, rivers, and other bodies of water. 70% of the earth’s surface.
Hydrosphere
Lithosphere
Lithosphere Surface land areas of the earth’s crust, including continents and ocean basins. 30% of the earth’s surface
ATMOSPHERE
• A layer of gases that surrounds the earth.
• Extends about 6000 miles above the surface.
• 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, small amounts of argon and other gases.
Biosphere
The part of the earth where life exists.
Major Landforms
• Mountains• Hills• Plateaus• Plains• Others include valleys, canyons,• and basins.• Landforms contain rivers, lakes,• and streams.
Seven Continents• Africa• Asia• Antarctica (no Arctic Continent)• Australia• Europe• North America• South America
Continental ShelfThe part of a continent that extends underwater. Can slope out from land as
much as 800 miles and descend to a depth of 600 feet.
Palm Island in Dubai, UAE
The highest point on Earth at 29,035 feet
above sea level
Mt. Everest
MarianaTrench is
the deepestplace onearth at
35,827 feetbelow sea
level.
The DeadSea is the
lowestplace onland at1,349
feet belowsea level.
Death Valley is the lowest place in the United States