Solar System
 
      
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The
Sun is the most prominent feature in our solar system. It is the largest
object and contains approximately 98% of the total solar system mass.
Solar energy passes through this region on its way out from the center of
the Sun. The Sun appears to have been active for 4.6 billion years and has
enough fuel to go on for another five billion years or so. Mean Surface Temperature: 6,000°C Principal Chemistry: Hydrogen - 92.1%, Helium - 7.8% |
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Mercury
was named by the Romans after the fleet-footed messenger of the gods
because it seemed to move more quickly than any other planet. It is the
closest planet to the Sun, and second smallest planet in the solar system.
Its diameter is 40% smaller than Earth and 40% larger than the Moon. Mean Surface Temperature: 179°C (Max 427°C and Min -173°C) Principal Chemistry: Helium - 42%, Sodium - 42%, Oxygen - 15% |
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Venus,
the jewel of the sky, was once known by ancient astronomers as the morning
star and evening star. Early astronomers once thought Venus to be two
separate bodies. Venus, which is named after the Roman goddess of love and
beauty, is veiled by thick swirling cloud cover. Mean Surface Temperature: 482°C Principal Chemistry: Carbon Dioxide - 96%, Nitrogen - 3% |
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Earth is the 3rd planet from the Sun at a
distance of about 150 million kilometers (93.2 million miles). It takes
365.256 days for the Earth to travel around the Sun and 23.9345 hours for
the Earth rotate a complete revolution. Earth is the only planet in the
solar system known to harbor life. Mean Surface Temperature: 15°C Principal Chemistry: Nitrogen - 77%, Oxygen - 21% |
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Mars
is the fourth planet from the Sun and is commonly referred to as the Red
Planet. The rocks, soil and sky have a red or pink hue. The distinct red
color was observed by stargazers throughout history. It was given its name
by the Romans in honor of their god of war. Other civilizations have had
similar names. The ancient Egyptians named the planet Her Descher
meaning the red one. Mean Surface Temperature: -63°C (Max 20°C and Min -140°C) Principal Chemistry: Carbon Dioxide - 95.32%, Nitrogen - 2.7% |
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Jupiter is the fifth planet from the Sun and is
the largest one in the solar system. If Jupiter were hollow, more than one
thousand Earths could fit inside. It also contains more matter than all of
the other planets combined. Jupiter has a simple ring system that is
composed of an inner halo, a main ring and a Gossamer ring. Mean Cloud Temperature: -121°C Principal Chemistry: Hydrogen - 90%, Helium - 10% |
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Saturn
is the sixth planet from the Sun and is the second largest in the solar
system. Saturn’s ring system makes the planet one of the most beautiful
objects in the solar system. The rings are split into a number of
different parts, which include the bright A and B rings and a fainter C
ring. The ring system has various gaps. The most notable gap is the
Cassini Division, which separates the A and B rings. Mean Cloud Temperature: -125°C Principal Chemistry: Hydrogen - 97%, Helium - 3% |
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Uranus
is the seventh planet from the Sun and is the third largest in the solar
system. It was discovered by William Herschel in 1781. The greenish color
of it atmosphere is due to methane. The blue-green appearance of its
atmosphere results from methane and high-altitude photochemical smog. Mean Cloud Temperature: -193°C Principal Chemistry: Hydrogen - 83%, Helium - 15%, Methane - 2% |
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Neptune is the outermost planet of the gas
giants. The first two thirds of Neptune is composed of a mixture of molten
rock, water, liquid ammonia and methane. The outer third is a mixture of
heated gases comprised of hydrogen, helium, water and methane. Methane
gives Neptune its blue cloud color. Mean Cloud Temperature: -173°C Principal Chemistry: Hydrogen - 85%, Helium - 13%, Methane - 2% |
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Pluto is usually farther from the Sun than any of
the nine planets. Although Pluto was discovered in 1930, limited
information on the distant planet delayed a realistic understanding of its
characteristics and Pluto remains the only planet that has not been
visited by a spacecraft today. Mean Cloud Temperature: Unknown Principal Chemistry: Nitrogen - 98% |
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