How many planets revolve around the sun. Saturn is named after the god of agriculture

Planets solar system- a little history

Previously, a planet was considered to be any body that orbits a star, glows with light reflected from it, and is larger than an asteroid.

Also in Ancient Greece mentioned seven luminous bodies that move across the sky against the background of fixed stars. These cosmic bodies were: the Sun, Mercury, Venus, Moon, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. The earth was not included in this list, since the ancient Greeks considered the earth to be the center of all things.

And only in the 16th century Nicolaus Copernicus in his scientific work entitled "On Appeal" celestial spheres“came to the conclusion that it is not the Earth, but the Sun that should be at the center of the planetary system. Therefore, the Sun and Moon were removed from the list, and the Earth was added to it. And after the advent of telescopes, Uranus and Neptune were added, in 1781 and 1846, respectively.
Until recently, Pluto was considered the last discovered planet in the solar system since 1930.

And now, almost 400 years after Galileo Galilei created the world's first telescope for observing stars, astronomers have come to the following definition of a planet.

Planet is a celestial body that must satisfy four conditions:
the body must revolve around a star (for example, around the Sun);
the body must have sufficient gravity to have a spherical or close to it shape;
the body should not have other large bodies near its orbit;
the body should not be a star.

In turn, the polar star is a cosmic body that emits light and is a powerful source of energy. This is explained, firstly, by the thermonuclear reactions occurring in it, and secondly, by the processes of gravitational compression, as a result of which a huge amount of energy is released.

Planets of the Solar System today

solar system is a planetary system that consists of a central star - the Sun - and all the natural space objects orbiting around it.

So, today the solar system consists of eight planets: four inner, so-called terrestrial planets, and four outer planets, called gas giants.
The terrestrial planets include Earth, Mercury, Venus and Mars. All of them consist mainly of silicates and metals.

The outer planets are Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. Gas giants are composed mainly of hydrogen and helium.

The sizes of the planets of the Solar System vary both within groups and between groups. Thus, gas giants are much larger and more massive than terrestrial planets.
Mercury is closest to the Sun, then as it moves away: Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.

It would be wrong to consider the characteristics of the planets of the Solar System without paying attention to its main component: the Sun itself. Therefore, we will start with it.

The sun planet is the star that gave rise to all life in the solar system. Planets, dwarf planets and their satellites, asteroids, comets, meteorites and cosmic dust revolve around it.

The Sun arose about 5 billion years ago, is a spherical, hot plasma ball and has a mass that is more than 300 thousand times the mass of the Earth. The surface temperature is more than 5000 degrees Kelvin, and the core temperature is more than 13 million K.

The sun is one of the largest and most bright stars in our galaxy, which is called galaxy Milky Way. The Sun is located at a distance of about 26 thousand light years from the center of the Galaxy and makes a full revolution around it in about 230-250 million years! For comparison, the Earth makes a full revolution around the Sun in 1 year.

Mercury planet

Mercury is the smallest planet in the system, which is closest to the Sun. Mercury has no satellites.

The surface of the planet is covered with craters that arose about 3.5 billion years ago due to massive bombings meteorites. The diameter of the craters can range from a few meters to more than 1000 km.

The atmosphere of Mercury is very thin, consists mainly of helium and is inflated by the solar wind. Since the planet is located very close to the Sun and does not have an atmosphere that would retain heat at night, the surface temperature ranges from -180 to +440 degrees Celsius.

By earthly standards, Mercury completes a full revolution around the Sun in 88 days. But a Mercury day is equal to 176 Earth days.

Venus planet

Venus is the second planet closest to the Sun in the solar system. Venus is only slightly smaller in size than Earth, which is why it is sometimes called “Earth’s sister.” Has no satellites.

The atmosphere consists of carbon dioxide mixed with nitrogen and oxygen. The air pressure on the planet is more than 90 atmospheres, which is 35 times more than on Earth.

Carbon dioxide and, as a consequence, Greenhouse effect, dense atmosphere, as well as proximity to the Sun allow Venus to bear the title of “hottest planet.” The temperature on its surface can reach 460°C.

Venus is one of the brightest objects in the earth's sky after the Sun and Moon.

Planet Earth

Earth is the only planet known today in the Universe on which there is life. The earth has largest sizes, mass and density among the so-called inner planets of the Solar System.

The age of the Earth is about 4.5 billion years, and life appeared on the planet about 3.5 billion years ago. The Moon is a natural satellite, the largest of the satellites of the terrestrial planets.

The Earth's atmosphere is fundamentally different from the atmospheres of other planets due to the presence of life. Most of the atmosphere consists of nitrogen, but also includes oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide and water vapor. Ozone layer and the Earth's magnetic field, in turn, weaken the life-threatening influence of solar and cosmic radiation.

Due to the carbon dioxide contained in the atmosphere, the greenhouse effect also occurs on Earth. It is not as pronounced as on Venus, but without it the air temperature would be about 40°C lower. Without an atmosphere, temperature fluctuations would be very significant: according to scientists, from -100°C at night to +160°C during the day.

About 71% of the Earth's surface is occupied by the world's oceans, the remaining 29% are continents and islands.

Mars planet

Mars is the seventh largest planet in the solar system. “Red Planet”, as it is also called due to the presence of large amounts of iron oxide in the soil. Mars has two satellites: Deimos and Phobos.
The atmosphere of Mars is very thin, and the distance to the Sun is almost one and a half times greater than that of the Earth. Therefore, the average annual temperature on the planet is -60°C, and temperature changes in some places reach 40 degrees during the day.

Distinctive features of the surface of Mars are impact craters and volcanoes, valleys and deserts, and polar ice caps similar to those on Earth. The highest mountain in the solar system is located on Mars: the extinct volcano Olympus, whose height is 27 km! And also the largest canyon: Valles Marineris, whose depth reaches 11 km and length – 4500 km

Jupiter planet

Jupiter is the most big planet Solar system. It is 318 times heavier than the Earth, and almost 2.5 times more massive than all the planets in our system combined. In its composition, Jupiter resembles the Sun - it consists mainly of helium and hydrogen - and emits a huge amount of heat equal to 4 * 1017 W. However, in order to become a star like the Sun, Jupiter must be 70-80 times heavier.

Jupiter has as many as 63 satellites, of which it makes sense to list only the largest - Callisto, Ganymede, Io and Europa. Ganymede is the largest moon in the solar system, even larger than Mercury.

Due to certain processes in internal atmosphere Jupiter, in its outer atmosphere there are many vortex structures, for example, bands of clouds in brown-red hues, as well as the Great Red Spot, a giant storm known since the 17th century.

Saturn planet

Saturn is the second largest planet in the solar system. Business card Saturn is, of course, its ring system, which consists mainly of icy particles different sizes(from tenths of a millimeter to several meters), as well as rocks and dust.

Saturn has 62 moons, the largest of which are Titan and Enceladus.
In its composition, Saturn resembles Jupiter, but in density it is inferior even to ordinary water.
The planet's outer atmosphere appears calm and uniform, which is explained by a very dense layer of fog. However, wind speeds in some places can reach 1800 km/h.

Uranus planet

Uranus is the first planet discovered by telescope, and the only planet in the Solar System that orbits the Sun on its side.
Uranus has 27 moons, which are named after Shakespearean heroes. The largest of them are Oberon, Titania and Umbriel.

The composition of the planet differs from gas giants in the presence of a large number of high-temperature modifications of ice. Therefore, along with Neptune, scientists have classified Uranus as an “ice giant.” And if Venus has the title of “hottest planet” in the solar system, then Uranus is the most cold planet With minimum temperature about -224°C.

Neptune planet

Neptune is the most distant planet in the solar system from the center. The story of its discovery is interesting: before observing the planet through a telescope, scientists used mathematical calculations to calculate its position in the sky. This happened after the discovery of inexplicable changes in the movement of Uranus in its own orbit.

Today, 13 satellites of Neptune are known to science. The largest of them, Triton, is the only satellite that moves in the direction opposite to the rotation of the planet. The fastest winds in the solar system also blow against the rotation of the planet: their speed reaches 2200 km/h.

In composition, Neptune is very similar to Uranus, therefore it is the second “ice giant”. However, like Jupiter and Saturn, Neptune has internal source heat and emits 2.5 times more energy than it receives from the Sun.
The blue color of the planet is given by traces of methane in the outer layers of the atmosphere.

Conclusion
Pluto, unfortunately, did not manage to get into our parade of planets in the solar system. But there is absolutely no need to worry about this, because all the planets remain in their places, despite changes in scientific views and concepts.

So, we answered the question how many planets are there in the solar system. There are only 8 .

> Planets

Explore everything planets of the solar system in order and study the names, new scientific facts and interesting features of the surrounding worlds with photos and videos.

The solar system is home to 8 planets: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Earth, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. The first 4 belong to the inner solar system and are considered terrestrial planets. Jupiter and Saturn are the large planets of the solar system and representatives of the gas giants (huge and filled with hydrogen and helium), and Uranus and Neptune are ice giants (large and represented by heavier elements).

Previously, Pluto was considered the ninth planet, but since 2006 it has become a dwarf planet. This dwarf planet was first discovered by Clyde Tomb. It is now one of the largest objects in the Kuiper Belt, a collection of icy bodies on the outer edge of our system. Pluto lost its planetary status after the IAU (International Astronomical Union) revised the concept itself.

According to the IAU decision, a solar system planet is a body that performs an orbital passage around the Sun, endowed with sufficient mass to form into a sphere and clear the area around it of foreign objects. Pluto failed to meet the latter requirement, which is why it became a dwarf planet. Other similar objects include Ceres, Makemake, Haumea and Eris.

With a small atmosphere, harsh surface features and 5 moons, Pluto is considered the most complex dwarf planet and one of the most amazing planets in our Solar System.

But scientists have not given up hope of finding the mysterious Planet Nine, after they announced in 2016 a hypothetical object that exerts its gravity on bodies in the Kuiper Belt. In terms of parameters, it is 10 times the mass of the Earth and 5000 times more massive than Pluto. Below is a list of planets of the solar system with photos, names, descriptions, detailed characteristics and interesting facts for children and adults.

Variety of planets

Astrophysicist Sergei Popov about gas and ice giants, double star systems and single planets:

Hot planetary coronas

Astronomer Valery Shematovich on the study of gaseous shells of planets, hot particles in the atmosphere and discoveries on Titan:

Planet Diameter relative to the Earth Mass, relative to Earth Orbital radius, a. e. Orbital period, Earth years Day,
relative to Earth
Density, kg/m³ Satellites
0,382 0,06 0,38 0,241 58,6 5427 No
0,949 0,82 0,72 0,615 243 5243 No
1,0 1,0 1,0 1,0 1,0 5515 1
0,53 0,11 1,52 1,88 1,03 3933 2
0,074 0,000013 2,76 4,6 0,46 ~2000 No
11,2 318 5,20 11,86 0,414 1326 67
9,41 95 9,54 29,46 0,426 687 62
3,98 14,6 19,22 84,01 0,718 1270 27
3,81 17,2 30,06 164,79 0,671 1638 14
0,098 0,0017 39,2 248,09 6,3 2203 5
0,032 0,00066 42,1 281,1 0,03 ~1900 2
0,033 0,00065 45,2 306,28 1,9 ~1700 No
0,1 0,0019 68,03 561,34 1,1 ~2400 1

Terrestrial planets of the solar system

The first 4 planets from the Sun are called planets earth type because their surface is rocky. Pluto also has a solid surface layer (frozen), but it is classified as a dwarf planet.

Gas giant planets of the solar system

There are 4 gas giants living in the outer solar system, as they are quite huge and gaseous. But Uranus and Neptune are different, because in them more ice. That's why they are also called ice giants. However, all gas giants have one thing in common: they are all made of hydrogen and helium.

The IAU has put forward a definition of a planet:

  • The object must be orbiting the Sun;
  • Have sufficient mass to take the shape of a ball;
  • Clear your orbital path of foreign objects;

Pluto could not meet the latter requirement, since it shares its orbital path with a huge number of Kuiper Belt bodies. But not everyone agreed with the definition. However, dwarf planets such as Eris, Haumea and Makemake appeared on the scene.

Ceres also lives between Mars and Jupiter. It was noticed in 1801 and considered a planet. Some still consider it the 10th planet of the solar system.

Dwarf planets of the solar system

Formation of planetary systems

Astronomer Dmitry Vibe about rocky planets and giant planets, the diversity of planetary systems and hot Jupiters:

Planets of the Solar System in order

The following describes the characteristics of the 8 main planets of the Solar System in order from the Sun:

The first planet from the Sun is Mercury

Mercury is the first planet from the Sun. Rotates in an elliptical orbit at a distance of 46-70 million km from the Sun. It takes 88 days for one orbital flight, and 59 days for an axial flight. Due to its slow rotation, a day spans 176 days. The axial tilt is extremely small.

With a diameter of 4887 km, the first planet from the Sun reaches 5% of the Earth's mass. Surface gravity is 1/3 of Earth's. The planet is practically devoid of an atmospheric layer, so it is hot during the day and freezes at night. The temperature ranges between +430°C and -180°C.

There is a crater surface and an iron core. But its magnetic field is inferior to that of the earth. Initially, radar indicated the presence of water ice at the poles. The Messenger apparatus confirmed the assumptions and found deposits at the bottom of craters, which are always immersed in shadow.

The first planet from the Sun is located close to the star, so it can be seen before dawn and just after sunset.

  • Title: Messenger of the gods in the Roman pantheon.
  • Diameter: 4878 km.
  • Orbit: 88 days.
  • Day length: 58.6 days.

The second planet from the Sun is Venus

Venus is the second planet from the Sun. Travels in an almost circular orbit at a distance of 108 million km. It comes closest to Earth and can reduce the distance to 40 million km.

The orbital path takes 225 days, and the axial rotation (clockwise) lasts 243 days. A day spans 117 Earth days. The axial tilt is 3 degrees.

In diameter (12,100 km), the second planet from the Sun is almost identical to the Earth’s and reaches 80% of the Earth’s mass. The gravity indicator is 90% of Earth's. The planet has a dense atmospheric layer, where the pressure is 90 times higher than Earth's. The atmosphere is filled with carbon dioxide with thick sulfur clouds, creating a powerful greenhouse effect. It is because of this that the surface warms up by 460°C (the hottest planet in the system).

The surface of the second planet from the Sun is hidden from direct observation, but scientists managed to create a map using radar. Covered by large volcanic plains with two huge continents, mountains and valleys. There are also impact craters. A weak magnetic field is observed.

  • Discovery: The ancients saw without the use of tools.
  • Name: Roman goddess responsible for love and beauty.
  • Diameter: 12104 km.
  • Orbit: 225 days.
  • Day length: 241 days.

The third planet from the Sun is Earth

Earth is the third planet from the Sun. It is the largest and densest of the inner planets. The orbital path is 150 million km away from the Sun. It has a single companion and developed life.

The orbital flyby takes 365.25 days, and the axial rotation takes 23 hours, 56 minutes and 4 seconds. The length of the day is 24 hours. The axial tilt is 23.4 degrees, and the diameter is 12742 km.

The third planet from the Sun was formed 4.54 billion years ago and for most of its existence the Moon was nearby. It is believed that the satellite appeared after a huge object crashed into the Earth and tore material into orbit. It is the Moon that stabilizes the Earth's axial tilt and acts as the source of the formation of tides.

The satellite's diameter covers 3,747 km (27% of Earth's) and is located at a distance of 362,000-405,000 km. Experiencing planetary gravitational influence, due to which it slowed down its axial rotation and fell into a gravitational block (therefore, one side is turned towards the Earth).

The planet is protected from stellar radiation by a powerful magnetic field formed by the active core (molten iron).

  • Diameter: 12760 km.
  • Orbit: 365.24 days.
  • Day length: 23 hours and 56 minutes.

The fourth planet from the Sun is Mars

Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun. The Red Planet moves along an eccentric orbital path - 230 million km. One flight around the Sun takes 686 days, and an axial revolution takes 24 hours and 37 minutes. It is located at an inclination of 25.1 degrees, and the day lasts 24 hours and 39 minutes. Its inclination resembles that of the Earth, which is why it has seasons.

The diameter of the fourth planet from the Sun (6792 km) is half that of Earth, and its mass reaches 1/10 of Earth’s. Gravity indicator – 37%.

Mars has no protection as a magnetic field, so the original atmosphere was destroyed by the solar wind. The devices recorded the outflow of atoms into space. As a result, the pressure reaches 1% of the earth's, and the thin atmospheric layer is represented by 95% carbon dioxide.

The fourth planet from the Sun is extremely frosty, with temperatures dropping to -87°C in winter and rising to -5°C in summer. This is a dusty place with giant storms that can cover the entire surface.

  • Discovery: The ancients saw without the use of tools.
  • Name: Roman god of war.
  • Diameter: 6787 km.
  • Orbit: 687 days.
  • Day length: 24 hours and 37 minutes.

The fifth planet from the Sun is Jupiter

Jupiter is the fifth planet from the Sun. In addition, this is the largest planet in the system, which is 2.5 times more massive than all the planets and covers 1/1000 of the solar mass.

It is distant from the Sun by 780 million km and spends 12 years on its orbital path. Filled with hydrogen (75%) and helium (24%) and may have a rocky core immersed in liquid metallic hydrogen with a diameter of 110,000 km. The total planetary diameter is 142984 km.

In the upper layer of the atmosphere there are 50-kilometer clouds, represented by ammonia crystals. They are in stripes moving on different speeds and latitudes. The Great Red Spot, a large-scale storm, seems remarkable.

The fifth planet from the Sun spends 10 hours on its axial rotation. This is a rapid speed, which means the equatorial diameter is 9000 km larger than the polar one.

  • Discovery: The ancients saw without the use of tools.
  • Name: main god in the Roman pantheon.
  • Diameter: 139822 km.
  • Orbit: 11.9 years.
  • Length of day: 9.8 hours.

The sixth planet from the Sun is Saturn

Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun. Saturn is in 2nd position in terms of scale in the system, exceeding the Earth's radius by 9 times (57,000 km) and 95 times more massive.

It is 1400 million km distant from the Sun and spends 29 years on its orbital flight. Filled with hydrogen (96%) and helium (3%). May have a rocky core in liquid metallic hydrogen with a diameter of 56,000 km. The upper layers are represented by liquid water, hydrogen, ammonium hydrosulfide and helium.

The core is heated to 11,700°C and produces more heat than the planet receives from the Sun. The higher we rise, the lower the degree drops. At the top, the temperature is maintained at -180°C and 0°C at a depth of 350 km.

The cloud layers of the sixth planet from the Sun resemble the picture of Jupiter, but they are fainter and wider. There is also the Great White Spot, a brief periodic storm. It spends 10 hours and 39 minutes on an axial rotation, but it is difficult to give an exact figure, since there are no fixed surface features.

  • Discovery: The ancients saw without the use of tools.
  • Name: god of the economy in the Roman pantheon.
  • Diameter: 120500 km.
  • Orbit: 29.5 days.
  • Length of day: 10.5 hours.

The seventh planet from the Sun is Uranus

Uranus is the seventh planet from the Sun. Uranus is a representative of the ice giants and is the 3rd largest in the system. Its diameter (50,000 km) is 4 times greater than that of Earth and 14 times more massive.

It is distant by 2900 million km and spends 84 years on its orbital path. What’s surprising is that the planet’s axial tilt (97 degrees) literally rotates on its side.

It is believed that there is a small rocky core around which a mantle of water, ammonia and methane is concentrated. This is followed by a hydrogen, helium and methane atmosphere. The seventh planet from the Sun also stands out in that it does not radiate more internal heat, so the temperature mark drops to -224°C (the coldest planet).

  • Discovery: In 1781, noticed by William Herschel.
  • Name: personification of the sky.
  • Diameter: 51120 km.
  • Orbit: 84 years.
  • Duration of the day: 18 hours.

Neptune is the eighth planet from the Sun. Neptune has been considered the official last planet in the solar system since 2006. The diameter is 49,000 km, and its massiveness is 17 times greater than that of Earth.

It is distant by 4500 million km and spends 165 years on an orbital flight. Due to its remoteness, the planet receives only 1% of solar radiation (compared to Earth). The axial tilt is 28 degrees, and the rotation takes 16 hours.

The meteorology of the eighth planet from the Sun is more pronounced than that of Uranus, so powerful storm activity can be seen at the poles in the form of dark spots. The wind accelerates to 600 m/s, and the temperature drops to -220°C. The core heats up to 5200°C.

  • Discovery: 1846
  • Name: Roman god of water.
  • Diameter: 49530 km.
  • Orbit: 165 years.
  • Duration of the day: 19 hours.

This is a small world, smaller in size than Earth's satellite. The orbit intersects with Neptune in 1979-1999. it could be considered the 8th planet in terms of distance from the Sun. Pluto will remain beyond Neptune's orbit for more than two hundred years. The orbital path is inclined to the system plane at 17.1 degrees. Frosty World visited New Horizons in 2015.

  • Discovery: 1930 - Clyde Tombaugh.
  • Name: Roman god of the underworld.
  • Diameter: 2301 km.
  • Orbit: 248 years.
  • Length of day: 6.4 days.

Planet Nine is a hypothetical object living in external system. Its gravity should explain the behavior of trans-Neptunian objects.



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The solar system is a group of planets revolving in specific orbits around a bright star - the Sun. This star is the main source of heat and light in the solar system.

It is believed that our planetary system was formed as a result of the explosion of one or more stars and this happened about 4.5 billion years ago. At first, the Solar System was an accumulation of gas and dust particles, however, over time and under the influence of its own mass, the Sun and other planets arose.

Planets of the Solar System

At the center of the solar system is the Sun, around which eight planets move in their orbits: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune.

Until 2006, Pluto also belonged to this group of planets; it was considered the 9th planet from the Sun, however, due to its significant distance from the Sun and small size, it was excluded from this list and called a dwarf planet. More precisely, it is one of several dwarf planets in the Kuiper belt.

All the above planets are usually divided into two large groups: terrestrial group and gas giants.

The terrestrial group includes such planets as: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars. They are distinguished by their small size and rocky surface, and in addition, they are located closest to the Sun.

Gas giants include: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune. They are characterized by big sizes and the presence of rings representing ice dust and rocky chunks. These planets consist mainly of gas.

Mercury

This planet is one of the smallest in the solar system, its diameter is 4,879 km. In addition, it is closest to the Sun. This proximity predetermined a significant temperature difference. The average temperature on Mercury during the day is +350 degrees Celsius, and at night - -170 degrees.

  1. Mercury is the first planet from the Sun.
  2. There are no seasons on Mercury. The tilt of the planet's axis is almost perpendicular to the plane of the planet's orbit around the Sun.
  3. The temperature on the surface of Mercury is not the highest, although the planet is located closest to the Sun. He lost first place to Venus.
  4. The first research vehicle to visit Mercury was Mariner 10. It conducted a number of demonstration flights in 1974.
  5. A day on Mercury lasts 59 Earth days, and a year is only 88 days.
  6. Mercury experiences the most dramatic temperature changes, reaching 610 °C. During the day, temperatures can reach 430 °C, and at night -180 °C.
  7. The gravity on the planet's surface is only 38% of Earth's. This means that on Mercury you could jump three times as high, and it would be easier to lift heavy objects.
  8. The first observations of Mercury through a telescope were made by Galileo Galilei in the early 17th century.
  9. Mercury has no natural satellites.
  10. The first official map of Mercury's surface was published only in 2009, thanks to data obtained from the Mariner 10 and Messenger spacecraft.

Venus

This planet is the second from the Sun. In size it is close to the diameter of the Earth, the diameter is 12,104 km. In all other respects, Venus differs significantly from our planet. A day here lasts 243 Earth days, and a year lasts 255 days. The atmosphere of Venus is 95% carbon dioxide, which creates a greenhouse effect on its surface. This leads to average temperature on the planet is 475 degrees Celsius. The atmosphere also contains 5% nitrogen and 0.1% oxygen.

  1. Venus is the second planet from the Sun in the Solar System.
  2. Venus is the hottest planet in the solar system, although it is the second planet from the sun. Surface temperature can reach 475 °C.
  3. The first spacecraft sent to explore Venus was sent from Earth on February 12, 1961 and was called Venera 1.
  4. Venus is one of two planets whose direction of rotation around its axis is different from most planets in the solar system.
  5. The planet's orbit around the Sun is very close to circular.
  6. The day and night temperatures of the surface of Venus are practically the same due to the large thermal inertia of the atmosphere.
  7. Venus makes one revolution around the Sun in 225 Earth days, and one revolution around its axis in 243 Earth days, that is, one day on Venus lasts more than one year.
  8. The first observations of Venus through a telescope were made by Galileo Galilei at the beginning of the 17th century.
  9. Venus has no natural satellites.
  10. Venus is the third brightest object in the sky, after the Sun and Moon.

Earth

Our planet is located at a distance of 150 million km from the Sun, and this allows us to create on its surface a temperature suitable for the existence of liquid water, and, therefore, for the emergence of life.

Its surface is 70% covered with water, and it is the only planet to contain such an amount of liquid. It is believed that many thousands of years ago, steam contained in the atmosphere created the temperature on the Earth's surface necessary for the formation of water in liquid form, and solar radiation contributed to photosynthesis and the birth of life on the planet.

  1. Earth in the solar system is the third planet from the sunsA;
  2. Our planet revolves around one natural satellite - the Moon;
  3. Earth is the only planet not named after a divine being;
  4. The Earth's density is the greatest of all the planets in the solar system;
  5. The Earth's rotation speed is gradually slowing down;
  6. The average distance from the Earth to the Sun is 1 astronomical unit (a conventional measure of length in astronomy), which is approximately 150 million km;
  7. The Earth has a magnetic field of sufficient strength to protect living organisms on its surface from harmful solar radiation;
  8. The first artificial Earth satellite, called PS-1 (The simplest satellite - 1), was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on the Sputnik launch vehicle on October 4, 1957;
  9. In orbit around the Earth, compared to other planets, there is the largest number of spacecraft;
  10. Earth is the largest terrestrial planet in the solar system;

Mars

This planet is the fourth from the Sun and is 1.5 times more distant from it than the Earth. The diameter of Mars is smaller than Earth's and is 6,779 km. The average air temperature on the planet ranges from -155 degrees to +20 degrees at the equator. The magnetic field on Mars is much weaker than that of Earth, and the atmosphere is quite thin, which allows unhindered solar radiation influence the surface. In this regard, if there is life on Mars, it is not on the surface.

When surveyed with the help of Mars rovers, it was found that there are many mountains on Mars, as well as dried up river beds and glaciers. The surface of the planet is covered with red sand. It is iron oxide that gives Mars its color.

  1. Mars is located in the fourth orbit from the Sun;
  2. The Red Planet is home to the tallest volcano in the solar system;
  3. Of the 40 exploration missions sent to Mars, only 18 were successful;
  4. Mars is home to some of the largest dust storms in the solar system;
  5. In 30-50 million years, there will be a system of rings around Mars, like Saturn's;
  6. Debris from Mars has been found on Earth;
  7. The Sun from the surface of Mars looks half as big as from the surface of the Earth;
  8. Mars is the only planet in the solar system that has polar ice caps;
  9. Two natural satellites revolve around Mars - Deimos and Phobos;
  10. Mars has no magnetic field;

Jupiter

This planet is the largest in the solar system and has a diameter of 139,822 km, which is 19 times larger than Earth. A day on Jupiter lasts 10 hours, and a year is approximately 12 Earth years. Jupiter is mainly composed of xenon, argon and krypton. If it were 60 times larger, it could become a star due to a spontaneous thermonuclear reaction.

The average temperature on the planet is -150 degrees Celsius. The atmosphere consists of hydrogen and helium. There is no oxygen or water on its surface. There is an assumption that there is ice in the atmosphere of Jupiter.

  1. Jupiter is located in the fifth orbit from the Sun;
  2. In the Earth's sky, Jupiter is the fourth brightest object, after the Sun, Moon and Venus;
  3. Jupiter has the shortest day of all the planets in the solar system;
  4. In the atmosphere of Jupiter, one of the longest and most powerful storms in the solar system rages, better known as the Great Red Spot;
  5. Jupiter's moon, Ganymede, is the most big moon in the solar system;
  6. Located around Jupiter thin system rings;
  7. Jupiter was visited by 8 research vehicles;
  8. Jupiter has a strong magnetic field;
  9. If Jupiter were 80 times more massive, it would become a star;
  10. There are 67 natural satellites orbiting Jupiter. This is the largest in the Solar System;

Saturn

This planet is the second largest in the solar system. Its diameter is 116,464 km. It is most similar in composition to the Sun. A year on this planet lasts quite a long time, almost 30 Earth years, and a day lasts 10.5 hours. The average surface temperature is -180 degrees.

Its atmosphere consists mainly of hydrogen and small quantity helium. Thunderstorms and auroras often occur in its upper layers.

  1. Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun;
  2. Saturn's atmosphere contains the strongest winds in the solar system;
  3. Saturn is one of the least dense planets in the solar system;
  4. Surrounding the planet is the largest ring system in the Solar System;
  5. One day on the planet lasts almost one Earth year and is equal to 378 Earth days;
  6. Saturn was visited by 4 research spacecraft;
  7. Saturn, together with Jupiter, constitutes approximately 92% of the total planetary mass of the Solar System;
  8. One year on the planet lasts 29.5 Earth years;
  9. There are 62 known natural satellites orbiting the planet;
  10. Currently, the automatic interplanetary station Cassini is studying Saturn and its rings;

Uranus

Uranus, computer artwork.

Uranus is the third largest planet in the solar system and the seventh from the Sun. It has a diameter of 50,724 km. It is also called " ice planet", since the temperature on its surface is -224 degrees. A day on Uranus lasts 17 hours, and a year lasts 84 Earth years. Moreover, summer lasts as long as winter - 42 years. This a natural phenomenon This is due to the fact that the axis of that planet is located at an angle of 90 degrees to the orbit and it turns out that Uranus seems to be “lying on its side.”

  1. Uranus is located in the seventh orbit from the Sun;
  2. The first person to learn about the existence of Uranus was William Herschel in 1781;
  3. Uranus has only been visited by one spacecraft, Voyager 2 in 1982;
  4. Uranus is the coldest planet in the solar system;
  5. The plane of Uranus's equator is inclined to the plane of its orbit at almost a right angle - that is, the planet rotates retrograde, "lying on its side slightly upside down";
  6. The moons of Uranus bear names taken from the works of William Shakespeare and Alexander Pope, rather than Greek or Roman mythology;
  7. A day on Uranus lasts about 17 Earth hours;
  8. There are 13 known rings around Uranus;
  9. One year on Uranus lasts 84 Earth years;
  10. There are 27 known natural satellites orbiting Uranus;

Neptune

Neptune is the eighth planet from the Sun. It is similar in composition and size to its neighbor Uranus. The diameter of this planet is 49,244 km. A day on Neptune lasts 16 hours, and a year is equal to 164 Earth years. Neptune is an ice giant and for a long time it was believed that no weather phenomena occurred on its icy surface. However, it was recently discovered that Neptune has raging vortices and wind speeds that are the highest among the planets in the solar system. It reaches 700 km/h.

Neptune has 14 moons, the most famous of which is Triton. It is known to have its own atmosphere.

Neptune also has rings. This planet has 6 of them.

  1. Neptune is the most distant planet in the Solar System and occupies the eighth orbit from the Sun;
  2. Mathematicians were the first to know about the existence of Neptune;
  3. There are 14 satellites circling around Neptune;
  4. Neputna's orbit is removed from the Sun by an average of 30 AU;
  5. One day on Neptune lasts 16 Earth hours;
  6. Neptune has only been visited by one spacecraft, Voyager 2;
  7. There is a system of rings around Neptune;
  8. Neptune has the second highest gravity after Jupiter;
  9. One year on Neptune lasts 164 Earth years;
  10. The atmosphere on Neptune is extremely active;

  1. Jupiter is considered the largest planet in the solar system.
  2. There are 5 dwarf planets in the Solar System, one of which has been reclassified as Pluto.
  3. There are very few asteroids in the Solar System.
  4. Venus is the hottest planet in the solar system.
  5. About 99% of the space (by volume) is occupied by the Sun in the Solar System.
  6. The satellite of Saturn is considered one of the most beautiful and original places in the solar system. There you can see a huge concentration of ethane and liquid methane.
  7. Our solar system has a tail that resembles a four-leaf clover.
  8. The sun follows a continuous 11-year cycle.
  9. There are 8 planets in the solar system.
  10. The Solar System is fully formed thanks to a large gas and dust cloud.
  11. Spacecraft have flown to all the planets of the solar system.
  12. Venus is the only planet in the solar system that rotates counterclockwise around its axis.
  13. Uranus has 27 satellites.
  14. The largest mountain is on Mars.
  15. A huge mass of objects in the solar system fell on the sun.
  16. The solar system is part of the Milky Way galaxy.
  17. The sun is the central object of the solar system.
  18. The solar system is often divided into regions.
  19. The Sun is a key component of the Solar System.
  20. The solar system was formed approximately 4.5 billion years ago.
  21. The most distant planet in the solar system is Pluto.
  22. Two regions in the Solar System are filled with small bodies.
  23. The solar system was built contrary to all the laws of the Universe.
  24. If you compare the solar system and space, then it is just a grain of sand in it.
  25. Over the past few centuries, the solar system has lost 2 planets: Vulcan and Pluto.
  26. Researchers claim that the solar system was created artificially.
  27. The only satellite of the Solar System that has a dense atmosphere and whose surface cannot be seen due to cloud cover is Titan.
  28. The region of the solar system that lies beyond the orbit of Neptune is called the Kuiper belt.
  29. The Oort cloud is the region of the solar system that serves as the source of a comet and a long orbital period.
  30. Every object in the solar system is held there because of the force of gravity.
  31. The leading theory of the solar system involves the emergence of planets and moons from a huge cloud.
  32. The solar system is considered the most secret particle of the Universe.
  33. There is a huge asteroid belt in the solar system.
  34. On Mars you can see the eruption of the big volcano Solar system, which is named Olympus.
  35. Pluto is considered to be the outskirts of the solar system.
  36. Jupiter has big ocean liquid water.
  37. The Moon is the largest satellite of the Solar System.
  38. Pallas is considered the largest asteroid in the solar system.
  39. The brightest planet in the solar system is Venus.
  40. The solar system is mostly made of hydrogen.
  41. The Earth is an equal member of the solar system.
  42. The sun heats up slowly.
  43. Oddly enough, the largest reserves of water in the solar system are in the sun.
  44. The equator plane of each planet in the solar system diverges from the orbital plane.
  45. The satellite of Mars called Phobos is an anomaly in the solar system.
  46. The solar system can amaze with its diversity and scale.
  47. The planets of the solar system are influenced by the sun.
  48. The outer shell of the solar system is considered to be the haven of satellites and gas giants.
  49. A huge number of planetary satellites of the solar system are dead.
  50. The largest asteroid, with a diameter of 950 km, is called Ceres.

The endless space that surrounds us is not just a huge airless space and emptiness. Here everything is subject to a single and strict order, everything has its own rules and obeys the laws of physics. Everything is in constant movement and is constantly in relationship with each other. This is a system in which each celestial body occupies its specific place. The center of the Universe is surrounded by galaxies, among which is our Milky Way. Our galaxy, in turn, is formed by stars around which large and small planets with their natural satellites revolve. The picture of a universal scale is completed by wandering objects - comets and asteroids.

In this endless cluster of stars our Solar System is located - a tiny astrophysical object by cosmic standards, which includes our cosmic home - planet Earth. For us earthlings, the size of the solar system is colossal and difficult to perceive. In terms of the scale of the Universe, these are tiny numbers - only 180 astronomical units or 2.693e+10 km. Here, too, everything is subject to its own laws, has its own clearly defined place and sequence.

Brief characteristics and description

The interstellar medium and the stability of the Solar System are ensured by the location of the Sun. Its location is an interstellar cloud included in the Orion-Cygnus arm, which in turn is part of our galaxy. From a scientific point of view, our Sun is located on the periphery, 25 thousand light years from the center of the Milky Way, if we consider the galaxy in the diametrical plane. In turn, the movement of the Solar system around the center of our galaxy is carried out in orbit. A complete revolution of the Sun around the center of the Milky Way is carried out in different ways, within 225-250 million years and is one galactic year. The orbit of the Solar System has an inclination of 600 to the galactic plane. Nearby, in the neighborhood of our system, other stars and other solar systems with their large and small planets are running around the center of the galaxy.

The approximate age of the Solar System is 4.5 billion years. Like most objects in the Universe, our star was formed as a result big bang. The origin of the Solar System is explained by the same laws that operated and continue to operate today in the fields of nuclear physics, thermodynamics and mechanics. First, a star was formed, around which, due to the ongoing centripetal and centrifugal processes, the formation of planets began. The Sun was formed from a dense accumulation of gases - a molecular cloud, which was the product of a colossal Explosion. As a result of centripetal processes, molecules of hydrogen, helium, oxygen, carbon, nitrogen and other elements were compressed into one continuous and dense mass.

The result of grandiose and such large-scale processes was the formation of a protostar, in the structure of which thermonuclear fusion began. We observe this long process, which began much earlier, today, looking at our Sun 4.5 billion years after its formation. The scale of the processes occurring during the formation of a star can be imagined by assessing the density, size and mass of our Sun:

  • density is 1.409 g/cm3;
  • the volume of the Sun is almost the same figure - 1.40927x1027 m3;
  • star mass – 1.9885x1030 kg.

Today our Sun is an ordinary astrophysical object in the Universe, not the smallest star in our galaxy, but far from the largest. The sun remains in its mature age, being not only the center of the solar system, but also the main factor in the emergence and existence of life on our planet.

The final structure of the solar system falls on the same period, with a difference of plus or minus half a billion years. The mass of the entire system, where the Sun interacts with other celestial bodies of the Solar System, is 1.0014 M☉. In other words, all the planets, satellites and asteroids, cosmic dust and particles of gases revolving around the Sun, compared to the mass of our star, are a drop in the ocean.

The way we have an idea of ​​our star and the planets revolving around the Sun is a simplified version. The first mechanical heliocentric model of the solar system with a clock mechanism was presented to the scientific community in 1704. It should be taken into account that the orbits of the planets of the solar system do not all lie in the same plane. They rotate around at a certain angle.

The model of the solar system was created on the basis of a simpler and more ancient mechanism - tellurium, with the help of which the position and movement of the Earth in relation to the Sun was simulated. With the help of tellurium, it was possible to explain the principle of the movement of our planet around the Sun and to calculate the duration of the earth's year.

The simplest model of the solar system is presented in school textbooks, where each of the planets and others celestial bodies occupy a certain place. It should be taken into account that the orbits of all objects revolving around the Sun are located at different angles to the central plane of the Solar System. The planets of the Solar System are located at different distances from the Sun, rotate at different speeds and rotate differently around their own axis.

A map - a diagram of the Solar System - is a drawing where all objects are located in the same plane. In this case, such an image gives an idea only of the sizes of celestial bodies and the distances between them. Thanks to this interpretation, it became possible to understand the location of our planet among other planets, to assess the scale of celestial bodies and to give an idea of ​​the enormous distances that separate us from our celestial neighbors.

Planets and other objects of the solar system

Almost the entire universe is made up of myriads of stars, among which there are large and small solar systems. The presence of a star with its own satellite planets is a common occurrence in space. The laws of physics are the same everywhere and our solar system is no exception.

If you ask the question how many planets there were in the solar system and how many there are today, it is quite difficult to answer unequivocally. Currently, the exact location of 8 major planets is known. In addition, 5 small dwarf planets revolve around the Sun. The existence of the ninth planet on this moment disputed in scientific circles.

The entire solar system is divided into groups of planets, which are arranged in the following order:

Terrestrial planets:

  • Mercury;
  • Venus;
  • Mars.

Gas planets - giants:

  • Jupiter;
  • Saturn;
  • Uranus;
  • Neptune.

All planets presented in the list differ in structure and have different astrophysical parameters. Which planet is larger or smaller than the others? The sizes of the planets of the solar system are different. The first four objects, similar in structure to the Earth, have a solid rock surface and are endowed with an atmosphere. Mercury, Venus and Earth are the inner planets. Mars closes this group. Following it are the gas giants: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune - dense, spherical gas formations.

The process of life of the planets of the solar system does not stop for a second. Those planets that we see in the sky today are the arrangement of celestial bodies that the planetary system of our star has at the current moment. The state that existed at the dawn of the formation of the solar system is strikingly different from what has been studied today.

About astrophysical parameters modern planets evidenced by the table, which also indicates the distance of the planets of the solar system to the sun.

The existing planets of the solar system are approximately the same age, but there are theories that in the beginning there were more planets. This is evidenced by numerous ancient myths and legends that describe the presence of other astrophysical objects and disasters that led to the death of the planet. This is confirmed by the structure of our star system, where, along with the planets, there are objects that are products of violent cosmic cataclysms.

A striking example of such activity is the asteroid belt, located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. Objects are concentrated here in a huge number extraterrestrial origin, mainly represented by asteroids and minor planets. It is these fragments irregular shape V human culture are considered the remains of the protoplanet Phaethon, which died billions of years ago as a result of a large-scale cataclysm.

In fact, there is an opinion in scientific circles that the asteroid belt was formed as a result of the destruction of a comet. Astronomers have discovered the presence of water on the large asteroid Themis and on the small planets Ceres and Vesta, which are the largest objects in the asteroid belt. Ice found on the surface of asteroids may indicate the cometary nature of the formation of these cosmic bodies.

Previously one of the major planets, Pluto is not considered a full-fledged planet today.

Pluto, which was previously ranked among the large planets of the solar system, is today reduced to the size of dwarf celestial bodies revolving around the Sun. Pluto, along with Haumea and Makemake, the largest dwarf planets, is located in the Kuiper belt.

These dwarf planets of the solar system are located in the Kuiper belt. The region between the Kuiper belt and the Oort cloud is the most distant from the Sun, but even there space not empty. In 2005, the most distant celestial body of our solar system, the dwarf planet Eris, was discovered there. The process of exploration of the most distant regions of our solar system continues. The Kuiper Belt and Oort Cloud are hypothetically the border regions of our star system, the visible boundary. This cloud of gas is one light years from the Sun and is the region where comets, the wandering satellites of our star, are born.

Characteristics of the planets of the solar system

The terrestrial group of planets is represented by the planets closest to the Sun - Mercury and Venus. These two cosmic bodies of the solar system, despite the similarity in physical structure with our planet, are a hostile environment for us. Mercury is the smallest planet in our star system and is closest to the Sun. The heat of our star literally incinerates the surface of the planet, practically destroying its atmosphere. The distance from the surface of the planet to the Sun is 57,910,000 km. In size, only 5 thousand km in diameter, Mercury is inferior to most large satellites, which are dominated by Jupiter and Saturn.

Saturn's satellite Titan has a diameter of over 5 thousand km, Jupiter's satellite Ganymede has a diameter of 5265 km. Both satellites are second in size only to Mars.

The very first planet rushes around our star at tremendous speed, making a full revolution around our star in 88 Earth days. It is almost impossible to notice this small and nimble planet in the starry sky due to the close presence of the solar disk. Among the terrestrial planets, it is on Mercury that the largest daily temperature differences are observed. While the surface of the planet facing the Sun heats up to 700 degrees Celsius, back side The planet is immersed in universal cold with temperatures down to -200 degrees.

The main difference between Mercury and all the planets of the solar system is its internal structure. Mercury has the largest iron-nickel inner core, which accounts for 83% of the mass of the entire planet. However, even this uncharacteristic quality did not allow Mercury to have its own natural satellites.

Next to Mercury is the closest planet to us - Venus. The distance from Earth to Venus is 38 million km, and it is very similar to our Earth. The planet has almost the same diameter and mass, slightly inferior in these parameters to our planet. However, in all other respects, our neighbor is fundamentally different from our cosmic home. The period of Venus' revolution around the Sun is 116 Earth days, and the planet rotates extremely slowly around its own axis. The average surface temperature of Venus rotating around its axis over 224 Earth days is 447 degrees Celsius.

Like its predecessor, Venus lacks the physical conditions conducive to the existence of known life forms. The planet is surrounded by a dense atmosphere consisting mainly of carbon dioxide and nitrogen. Both Mercury and Venus are the only planets in the solar system that do not have natural satellites.

Earth is the last of the inner planets of the solar system, located at a distance of approximately 150 million km from the Sun. Our planet makes one revolution around the Sun every 365 days. Rotates around its own axis in 23.94 hours. The Earth is the first of the celestial bodies located on the path from the Sun to the periphery, which has a natural satellite.

Digression: The astrophysical parameters of our planet are well studied and known. Earth is the largest and densest planet of all the other inner planets in the solar system. It is here that natural physical conditions have been preserved under which the existence of water is possible. Our planet has a stable magnetic field that holds the atmosphere. Earth is the most well studied planet. The subsequent study is mainly of not only theoretical interest, but also practical one.

Mars closes the parade of terrestrial planets. The subsequent study of this planet is mainly not only of theoretical interest, but also of practical interest, associated with human exploration of extraterrestrial worlds. Astrophysicists are attracted not only by the relative proximity of this planet to Earth (on average 225 million km), but also by the absence of difficult climatic conditions. The planet is surrounded by an atmosphere, although it is in an extremely rarefied state, has its own magnetic field, and temperature differences on the surface of Mars are not as critical as on Mercury and Venus.

Like Earth, Mars has two satellites - Phobos and Deimos, the natural nature of which has recently been questioned. Mars is the last fourth planet with a rocky surface in the solar system. Following the asteroid belt, which is a kind of inner boundary of the Solar system, begins the kingdom of gas giants.

The largest cosmic celestial bodies of our solar system

The second group of planets that are part of the system of our star has bright and large representatives. These are the largest objects in our solar system, which are considered the outer planets. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune are the most distant from our star, huge by earthly standards and their astrophysical parameters. These celestial bodies are distinguished by their massiveness and composition, which is mainly gas in nature.

The main beauties of the solar system are Jupiter and Saturn. Total weight this pair of giants would be quite enough to contain the mass of all known celestial bodies of the solar system. So Jupiter, the largest planet in the solar system, weighs 1876.64328 1024 kg, and the mass of Saturn is 561.80376 1024 kg. These planets have the most natural satellites. Some of them, Titan, Ganymede, Callisto and Io are the most large satellites Solar system and are comparable in size to the terrestrial planets.

The largest planet in the solar system, Jupiter, has a diameter of 140 thousand km. In many respects, Jupiter more closely resembles a failed star - a striking example of the existence of a small solar system. This is evidenced by the size of the planet and astrophysical parameters - Jupiter is only 10 times smaller than our star. The planet rotates around its own axis quite quickly - only 10 Earth hours. The number of satellites, of which 67 have been identified to date, is also striking. The behavior of Jupiter and its moons is very similar to the model of the solar system. Such a number of natural satellites for one planet puts new question, how many planets there were in the solar system at the early stage of its formation. It is assumed that Jupiter, having a powerful magnetic field, turned some planets into its natural satellites. Some of them - Titan, Ganymede, Callisto and Io - are the largest satellites of the solar system and are comparable in size to the terrestrial planets.

It is slightly inferior in size to Jupiter. little brother- gas giant Saturn. This planet, like Jupiter, consists mainly of hydrogen and helium - gases that are the basis of our star. With its size, the diameter of the planet is 57 thousand km, Saturn also resembles a protostar that has stopped in its development. The number of satellites of Saturn is slightly inferior to the number of satellites of Jupiter - 62 versus 67. Saturn's satellite Titan, like Io, a satellite of Jupiter, has an atmosphere.

In other words, the most major planets Jupiter and Saturn with their systems of natural satellites strongly resemble small solar systems, with their clearly defined center and system of movement of celestial bodies.

Behind the two gas giants come the cold and dark worlds, the planets Uranus and Neptune. These celestial bodies are located at a distance of 2.8 billion km and 4.49 billion km. from the Sun, respectively. Due to their enormous distance from our planet, Uranus and Neptune were discovered relatively recently. Unlike the other two gas giants, Uranus and Neptune are present in large quantities frozen gases - hydrogen, ammonia and methane. These two planets are also called ice giants. Uranus is smaller in size than Jupiter and Saturn and ranks third in the solar system. The planet represents the pole of cold of our star system. The average temperature on the surface of Uranus is -224 degrees Celsius. Uranus differs from other celestial bodies revolving around the Sun by its strong tilt on its own axis. The planet seems to be rolling, revolving around our star.

Like Saturn, Uranus is surrounded by a hydrogen-helium atmosphere. Neptune, unlike Uranus, has a different composition. The presence of methane in the atmosphere indicates Blue colour spectrum of the planet.

Both planets move slowly and majestically around our star. Uranus orbits the Sun in 84 Earth years, and Neptune orbits our star twice as long - 164 Earth years.

Finally

Our Solar System is a huge mechanism in which each planet, all satellites of the Solar System, asteroids and other celestial bodies move along a clearly defined route. The laws of astrophysics apply here and have not changed for 4.5 billion years. Along the outer edges of our solar system, dwarf planets move in the Kuiper belt. Comets are frequent guests of our star system. These space objects visit with a frequency of 20-150 years interior areas Solar system, flying within sight of our planet.

If you have any questions, leave them in the comments below the article. We or our visitors will be happy to answer them

Mars is one of the mysteries that arouses the greatest interest among scientific minds. For several decades in a row, space researchers have been trying to uncover all the secrets of the 4th planet. Known Facts make it clear that Mars is similar to Earth in many ways, so scientists never stop hoping to discover even the slightest signs of alien life.


Planets of the Solar System in order

The number of planets revolving around the Sun is eight. These objects are classified according to several indicators:

  • Distance from the star.
  • Size.
  • Classification by groups. The first four objects from the star are terrestrial, the rest are gas giants.

Gas planets, also called outer planets, differ from their terrestrial neighbors not only in size, but also in their constituent elements. The main components of the two largest giants are helium and hydrogen. Neptune and Uranus are a little more complex, being more ice giants than gas giants. Hydrogen at these objects is practically replaced by ice.

Earth group

The structure of terrestrial planets is dominated by metals and silicates. Refractory minerals form the basis of the crust and mantle, and metals form the core.

Mercury

The smallest object of the system constantly changes its position, speed of movement, and also its distance relative to the star. Mercury has no satellites, and its proximity to the Sun causes sharp changes in day and night temperatures - from +350 to -170 ᵒС. Mercury is distinguished from this group by the absence of an atmosphere.

Although Venus is located further than Mercury, its surface temperature is more than 100 ᵒC higher. The radius and mass of Venus are close to those on Earth. A day on Venus is equivalent to 243 days on Earth, and a year is measured in 224.7 Earth days. Venus has no satellites.

The Earth is the third farthest from the Sun. A distinctive feature of our Motherland is the presence of water, which occupies 70% of the entire surface. Movable lithospheric plates are hidden under the mantle. A natural satellite, the Moon, rotates in Earth's orbit.

The characteristics of the planet are rarefied air, the mass of the object is only 10% of the earth's mass, and Martian year lasts 687 of our days. Accompanying Deimos and Phobos are natural satellites.

Fourth farthest from the Sun

Have you ever wondered what the 4th planet from the sun is called? Everything is quite simple here: Mercury is the closest planet to the luminary, Venus is second, Earth is third, and Mars is the closest neighbor of Earth, its serial number is 4.

Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun and has rightfully received the most attention in the study of a tiny part of our star system. U younger brother The earth has a lot in common with our home. Temperature indicators in some areas are comparable to those in the Arctic regions of the Earth.

Familiar phenomena occur here - dust devils and sandstorms, tens of times greater than those on earth in strength and scale. One of the closest similarities with our Earth is the angle of inclination of the axis, as well as the time of a complete revolution around it. Due to this, they change on Mars.

Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun, whose orbital radius is half the radius of the Earth. It received a serial number relative to its distance from the luminary. If we take into account the size of the object, then Mars occupies the penultimate seventh place.

4 planet from the sun is rich carbon dioxide it is present in the atmosphere and in solid form at the poles. The presence of liquid water on the surface is not the reason for this low atmospheric pressure. In such conditions, the water would simply boil and turn into steam, but it could be deep below the surface in the form of ice.

The planet Mars is the fourth from the Sun, accompanied by two satellites - and. These cosmic bodies are blocks of stone, and the structure is similar to the structure of meteorites. Phobos is constantly approaching the planet and after millions of years it will either collide with the surface or crash due to gravity.

The local landscape is varied - the relief is replete with volcanic craters, there are canyons and flat surfaces. It is on Mars that there is a mountain called Olympus, which has been awarded the honorary title highest mountain throughout the solar system. The supposed riverbeds give scientists the opportunity to assume that life once existed here. It is also known that geological activity has long disappeared - the planet is now motionless.