The workings of the solar system has been a constant source of interest for scientists around the world. Even though our understanding of the solar system barely scratches the surface, each day brings us new information as technological and scientific advancements continue allowing us to understand better the mysteries that surround not just our solar system, but the universe, as well. In the first part of this essay, I will provide information on some of the planets that can be found in our solar system. The second part of this project will focus on the alt-azimuth system.
Compare the surfaces of Mercury and our Moon. How are they similar
The surfaces of Mercury and the Earths Moon contain some similarities. Like the Moon, Mercurys surface also has many craters. Another feature that both the Moon and Mercury share is the presence of marias on their surfaces. A maria is described as remnants of large impacts on the surfaces of terrestrial planets. The impact creates a crack on the crust allowing lava to flow out of the crust from the mantle where it cools creating basaltic lava plains on the planets surface. Another similarity between the two is that they both have no plate tectonics, which is described as the solid plates that float around independently on top of the hot mantle below the Earths crust. Like the Moon, Mercurys surface is also covered by a thin layer of silicate minerals.
Explain why Mercury is difficult to observe from Earth.
Aside from Pluto, which was discovered to be a dwarf planet rather than a major planet of the Solar System, Mercury is considered to be the smallest planet in our Solar System. Named after the Roman God of commerce, Mercury has a diameter of 4,878km (3,032 miles), which is about two-fifths of the Earths diameter. Due to its nearness to the sun, Mercury is difficult to view from Earth and requires a telescope to do so and only in daytime. It is visible before sunrise or right after sunset.
Explain why Venus is hotter than Mercury.
Despite being the closest planet to the Sun, Mercury does not hold the distinction of being the hottest planet in our Solar System. The planet Venus holds that title. Located between Earth and Mercury, Venus, named after the Roman Goddess of Love and Beauty, has a surface temperature range of 800-900 degrees Fahrenheit (about 400-500 degrees Celsius). The reason behind this is because Venus has an atmosphere, unlike Mercury. The atmosphere at Venus consists mainly of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, sulphuric acid and other elements. Carbon dioxide, which is a greenhouse gas, is well-known for its capability of trapping heat from the Sun.
Explain why Uranus and Neptune are distinctly bluer than Jupiter and Saturn.
Uranus and Neptune are two of the planets that has caught not just the interest of the scientific community, but the rest of the population as well. Since its discovery, an air of mystery has been attached to the two planets since they are two of the farthest planets from Earth and there is not much that has been discovered about them. Furthermore, their blue-green color have raised assumptions in the beginning that they have seas and oceans in them. Compared to its other giant brothers, Jupiter and Saturn, Uranus and Neptune are distinctly bluer due to the methane gas in their atmospheres which gives them a bluish hue. They are also known as the icy planet and the windy planet, respectively.
Compare the surfaces of Mercury and our Moon. How are they similar
The surfaces of Mercury and the Earths Moon contain some similarities. Like the Moon, Mercurys surface also has many craters. Another feature that both the Moon and Mercury share is the presence of marias on their surfaces. A maria is described as remnants of large impacts on the surfaces of terrestrial planets. The impact creates a crack on the crust allowing lava to flow out of the crust from the mantle where it cools creating basaltic lava plains on the planets surface. Another similarity between the two is that they both have no plate tectonics, which is described as the solid plates that float around independently on top of the hot mantle below the Earths crust. Like the Moon, Mercurys surface is also covered by a thin layer of silicate minerals.
Explain why Mercury is difficult to observe from Earth.
Aside from Pluto, which was discovered to be a dwarf planet rather than a major planet of the Solar System, Mercury is considered to be the smallest planet in our Solar System. Named after the Roman God of commerce, Mercury has a diameter of 4,878km (3,032 miles), which is about two-fifths of the Earths diameter. Due to its nearness to the sun, Mercury is difficult to view from Earth and requires a telescope to do so and only in daytime. It is visible before sunrise or right after sunset.
Explain why Venus is hotter than Mercury.
Despite being the closest planet to the Sun, Mercury does not hold the distinction of being the hottest planet in our Solar System. The planet Venus holds that title. Located between Earth and Mercury, Venus, named after the Roman Goddess of Love and Beauty, has a surface temperature range of 800-900 degrees Fahrenheit (about 400-500 degrees Celsius). The reason behind this is because Venus has an atmosphere, unlike Mercury. The atmosphere at Venus consists mainly of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, sulphuric acid and other elements. Carbon dioxide, which is a greenhouse gas, is well-known for its capability of trapping heat from the Sun.
Explain why Uranus and Neptune are distinctly bluer than Jupiter and Saturn.
Uranus and Neptune are two of the planets that has caught not just the interest of the scientific community, but the rest of the population as well. Since its discovery, an air of mystery has been attached to the two planets since they are two of the farthest planets from Earth and there is not much that has been discovered about them. Furthermore, their blue-green color have raised assumptions in the beginning that they have seas and oceans in them. Compared to its other giant brothers, Jupiter and Saturn, Uranus and Neptune are distinctly bluer due to the methane gas in their atmospheres which gives them a bluish hue. They are also known as the icy planet and the windy planet, respectively.
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