Outer Planets Read It! In the outer Solar System are the four remaining planets Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Made primarily of gasses these planets are called Jovian planets or gas giants. They are massive and consist of a thick atmosphere and a dense molten core. Because the gas giants aren't made of rock and solid matter they don't have solid surfaces like the terrestrial planets. Therefore, landing on one would be impossible
Like the inner planets, the outer planets have similar characteristics to one another. The outer planets are so much larger than the inner planets that they make up 99 percent of the mass of the celestial bodies that orbit the Sun.
Although mainly composed of gas, the outer planets also have other ingredients. Somewhere at the center is what scientist refer to as a rocky core, although it is actually composed of liquid heavy metals. While the inner planets have few or no moons, the outer planets have dozens each. The inner and outer planets are separated by the asteroid belt.
The atmospheric structures of the four Jovian planets are all quite similar. The primary difference is that the atmospheres get progressively cooler with increasing distance from the Sun. Clouds of a certain composition always occur at about the same temperature. For example, the ammonia clouds on both Jupiter and Saturn form at an atmospheric temperature of about 150 K.
This happens to be around 25 km below the cloud top on Jupiter and 100 km below the cloud top on Saturn.
Each Jovian planet has distinct cloud layers, with altitudes dictated by the atmospheric levels at which various gases can condense into liquid droplets or solid flakes.
Answer the Read It! questions on looseleaf. 1. What four planets make up the outer planets? A. Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars B. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Venus C. Mercury, Venus, Earth, Saturn D. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
2. What does the term Jovian mean? A. Terrestrial B. Composed of water C. Gas giant D. Earth-like
3. What is one difference between each of the Jovian planets? A. They get cooler as they get farther from the Sun B. Some are made up of rocks and others aren’t C. They get cooler as the get closer to the Sun D. Some are large compared to Earth and some are small
4. Another title for this passage could be? A. Inner vs. Outer Planets B. How Gas Giants Impact Earth C. The Moons of Jupiter D. The Jovian Planets – A Brief Overview
Answer the Watch It! questions on looseleaf 1. List 3 facts about the planet Jupiter on your paper. 2. . List 3 facts about the planet Saturn on your paper. 3. . List 3 facts about the planet Uranus on your paper. 4. . List 3 facts about the planet Neptune on your paper.
Research It! The Outer Planets Click the button below then click Slideshow . Cycle through the slideshow using the arrows and be prepared to write down key information on each slide On your looseleaf write down new information that was learned from the presentation.
Illustrate It! The Outer Planets Station Directions Make an drawing to show how the outer planets have characteristics that are different from the inner planets.
Organize It! The Outer Planets
Write the names of the 4 outer planets on your looseleaf: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune Under each planet name write the characteristics that describe that planet. Check your answers with your teacher when finished.
7th planet from the Sun
Coldest and windiest planet
Has a famous moon named Titan which is the largest moon that orbits this planet
Home to the “Great Red Spot”
Known for its many rings made up of dust and rock particles
Made up of mostly methane gas
The largest planet
Tilted on its axis
Write It! The Outer Planets: Answer the following questions in full paragraphs.
Choose one of the outer planets and describe it on your looseleaf in one paragraph.
Humans cannot go to the outer planet because they are made of gas. How can scientists learn more about them?
Compare and contrast Jupiter and Saturn
Assess It! The Outer Planets: Answer the questions below on looseleaf 1. __________ is the largest planet in the solar system and has a constant storm on its surface. A. Neptune B. Uranus C. Saturn D. Jupiter
2. Outer planets have these characteristics. A. Long orbits, made up of gas, have many moons B. Long orbits, made up of gas, have few moons C. Short orbits, made up of gas, have many moons D. Long orbits, have a rocky crust, have many moons
3. Outer planets orbit the Sun _________than inner planets. A. smoother B. The same C. faster D. slower
4. Most outer planets have _________ gravity due to their size. A. Equal B. Less C. More D. Similar
Planet Project
It seems impossible but in the year 2060 space travel to other planets is now available to the general public. All you need is some “dough”. How much would you be willing to spend to visit the planet of your dreams? Your goal is to raise $100,000, so you can visit one or more of your favorite planets.