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The Inner planets

The Inner planets. Section 28.2. Main idea. Mercury, Venus, and Earth, and Mars have high densities and rocky surfaces This is why we call them the terrestrial planets. mercury. Closest to the Sun making it difficult to see from Earth 1/3 the size of Earth Has no moons

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The Inner planets

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  1. The Inner planets Section 28.2

  2. Main idea • Mercury, Venus, and Earth, and Mars have high densities and rocky surfaces • This is why we call them the terrestrial planets

  3. mercury • Closest to the Sun making it difficult to see from Earth • 1/3 the size of Earth • Has no moons • Atmosphere is replenished by the Sun • Atmosphere composed of oxygen and sodium • Surface covered with craters and plains

  4. Scarps: planetwide system of cliffs

  5. Venus • 2nd closest to the Sun • Has no moons • The brightest planet in the sky • Often called the evening star

  6. Rotates very slowly • 1 day on Venus = 243 Earth days • Venus rotates clockwise (opposite to most) • Very similar to Earth in diameter, mass, and density • Clouds on Venus consist of sulfuric acid • Greenhouse effect causes the high concentration carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to keep Venus’ surface temperature hot enough to melt lead. • Venus is the hottest planet

  7. Earth

  8. It’s distance from the Sun and nearly circular orbit are perfect for life which allow water to exist in all three states • It’s mild greenhouse effect and moderately dense atmosphere of Nitrogen and Oxygen are also perfect conditions for life • Most tectonically active terrestrial planet • Has one moon

  9. Mars • Called the ‘red planet’ because of its reddish surface • Smaller than Earth and less dense • Has two moons: Phobos and Deimos • Thin atmosphere • Constant wind and dust storms

  10. Surface • Northern hemisphere: cratered plains • Southern hemisphere: cratered highlands • Four gigantic volcanoes near equator • Largest: Olympus Mons • Ice caps on both poles

  11. Tectonics • VallesMarineris: 10 times the length of the Grand Canyon • There is currently NO plate movement. The volcanoes and canyons were caused by hot spots of volcanic activity • Erosion patterns suggest that water once existed on Mars

  12. Mars curiosity

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