THE OUTER PLANETS

Jovian Planets
O 5 planets farthest from sun
O Also known as the outer planets O Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune

Makeup
O Larger and more massive than inner planets

but less dense

O Thick atmospheres of hydrogen and helium

gas
O Probably a core of rock, metals and water

JUPITER
O Fifth planet from sun O One orbit of the sun is almost 12 Earth years O Rotates on its axis is faster than any other planet- once every 9

hours and 50 minutes

O Has at least 16 moons and one ring O STRUCTURE/SURFACE- liquid metallic core surrounded by lighter

elements O Surface of planet is not solid but mixture of hot gases and liquids
O

Alternating bands of light and dark colors due to gases in atmosphere

O ATMOSPHERE- Suggested atmosphere of ammonia, methane and

water vapor O Rapid rotation causes gases to swirl O Average temperature is -160C

Saturn
O O O O O

Sixth planet from sun- 1,427,000,000 km Second largest planet in solar system Orbit around the sun is period is 29.5 days Rotates very rapidly on axis every 10 hours and 40 minutes Has at least 20 moons and several rings O Titan is the largest moon; bigger than Mercury STRUCTURE/SURFACE- Probably small, rocky core, interior of liquid metallic hydrogen O Has bands of color O Less dense than any other planet in solar system (less than water) ATMOSPHERE- probably dense atmosphere of hydrogen and helium O Average temperature of -176C to -185C (-301F)

Uranus
O Seventh planet from sun

O Third largest in solar system

O Orbit period is 84 Earth years O Rotates about every 17 hours and 14 minutes O Unique feature- rotates like a rolling ball; axis is almost horizontal to

plane of orbit
O Has at least 15 moons and at least 11 small rings O STRUCTURE/SURFACE- Thought that center is core of rock and

metals w/ temperature of 7000C

O ATMOSPHERE- greenish color indicates presence of methane O Average temperature of clouds is -215C (-355) but surface

temperature is believed to be much higher O May be mixture of liquid water and methane below atmosphere

NEPTUNE
O Eighth planet from sun O Similar to Uranus in size O Orbit period is 165 Earth years O Rotates on its axis about every 16 hours and 6 minutes O Has eight moons and possibly four rings O Names after Roman god of the sea O ATMOSPHERE- Upper atmosphere composed of white clouds of

frozen methane; appear as changing bands O Has very active weather system
O Great Dark Spot storm system seen on Neptunes surface

O Average temperature is about -225C (-320F)