The Outer Planets
- 1. J U P I T E R , S A T U R N , U R A N U S , N E P T U N E The Outer Planets
- 2. The Outer Planets Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. The Outer planets are farthest from the sun. These are giant planets called the Jovian Planets, named for Jupiter. Very large planets. Made mostly of gas so they have low density.
- 3. The Outer Planets Most of the Jovian Planets have the same structure: Atmosphere : Outer parts ALL GAS – H, He, and Methane Mantle: Liquid Hydrogen Core: Molten rock core
- 4. The Outer Planets Most of the Jovian Planets have the same structure: Atmosphere : Outer parts ALL GAS – H, He, and Methane Mantle: Liquid Hydrogen Core: Molten rock core Atmosphere: H, He, and Methane Gas SMALL CORE Mantle: Liquid Hydrogen They DO NOT have a solid surface!
- 5. Jupiter The biggest planet of all. Has a faint dusty ring around it (rock and dust). 300 x’s the mass of Earth It takes 12 years to go around the sun.
- 6. Jupiter Jupiter’s atmosphere is thick with H and He gas. Bands of clouds (red, white) from high and low atmospheric pressure systems. Great RED spot Giant Storm 2x’s the size of Earth 300 years old
- 7. Jupiter Jupiter has 61+ moons (and counting). It captures smaller objects because of its high gravity. Jupiter is often called a “mini solar system” for this reason. IO Europa Calisto Ganymede
- 8. Saturn Saturn is the second largest planet, but is the least dense. It’s density is so low that it could actually float in water!! Saturn has amazing rings. Rings are ice and dust. Rings are wide, but paper thin. Gravity holds them around the planet.
- 9. Saturn Saturn has a Great White Spot Atmospheric Storm System.
- 10. Uranus Uranus is blue from methane gas CH4 (absorbs red light). High temperature and pressure make it rain diamonds!!
- 11. Uranus Pictures of Uranus were taken by Voyager 2 showing Uranus has faint rings. They noticed that Uranus rotates on its side. A space collision toppled it over.
- 12. Neptune Neptune is also blue from Methane gas. It is also thought to be raining diamonds!! It radiates almost 3x as much heat energy as it gets from the sun. Neptune has had a Great Dark Spot. Another very large atmospheric Storm. Has recently disappeared (1994)