Planets that are larger than the earth to list. Size, mass, orbit of the planet Earth

The earth is a common home for more than 7 billion people. There will be enough food and resources for a long time to come, and overpopulation so far does not threaten us (not to mention individual countries). However, scientists are sure that such a relative idyll cannot last forever, and even if not in the near future, but someday our planet will cease to be habitable. This may be the result of a world war, a global cataclysm, or a cosmic impact. What is the way out for man? It would be nice to move to another habitable planet, of course, having prepared it in advance for this. Let's look at the TOP 7 planets that a person can colonize for future resettlement.

7th place. Mercury

Among other objects in the solar system, the planet Mercury is considered as a candidate for colonization. It is best to populate the region of the poles, because there are ice caps (so far, presumably) and daily temperature drops are minimal. On Mercury there will be no problems with energy due to its proximity to the Sun, and this planet is rich in useful resources, it’s a pity not in food ... The advantages of Mercury include the presence of a magnetic field that can cope with the solar wind and cosmic radiation, although not so efficient as the earth.

But the proximity to the Sun and the lack of a more or less dense atmosphere make Mercury not so attractive in terms of colonization. Well, a bonus disadvantage is the length of the day in 176 Earth. Terraforming in such conditions is simply impractical, so you will have to make do with a colony underground. In any case, organizing the possibility of human habitation on Mercury will be quite lengthy and labor intensive. Due to the gravity of the Sun, even the flight itself will be extremely energy-intensive and dangerous. That is why only 7th place.

6th place. Kepler-438b

For a change, consider two planets outside the solar system, but the most habitable. It is possible that in the distant future we will be able to overcome interstellar space in terms not exceeding a human life, therefore it is advisable to consider distant worlds as places of colonization.

Kepler-438 b is located in the constellation Lyra at a distance of 470 light years from Earth. Today it is considered the most similar to Earth in a number of ways., therefore, the presence of life on it is highly valued. This planet is slightly larger than ours, and its location from the star is optimal for the presence of liquid water and quite acceptable temperatures. In the catalog of habitable planets, Kepler-438 b is in second place after , and this is already saying something.

The only thing that calls into question the habitability of Kepler-438 b is the recently released results of observations of the star around which the planet revolves. Astronomers have noticed that this star very often produces strong emissions of radiation. So not everything is so rosy, and it’s far to fly to it. Therefore, 6th place.

5. place. Proxima Centauri b

The exoplanet Proxima Centauri b was discovered in early August 2016. It revolves around the nearest star to the Sun, Proxima Centauri. Among all the likely habitable planets outside our system, Proxima Centauri b is notable for its relatively small distance from Earth at 4.22 light years. The average temperature on it is about -40 ° C. So far, it is impossible to accurately declare the presence of life there, but the fact that the planet is located in a zone suitable for this is undeniable.

A year on this planet lasts only 11 Earth days. The star Proxima Centauri is small, which means that the habitable zone around it is closer than that of the Sun. And, consequently, the orbit of the planets will also be smaller, and therefore the revolution around the star is faster. By the way, like the Moon with the Earth, Proxima Centauri b always faces its star with only one side, so there is eternal night in one hemisphere, and constant day in the other.

On Proxima Centauri b, only one side is illuminated

Scientists seriously started talking that it would be nice to send probes there, or rather, nanoprobes weighing 1 gram, which could reach this planet in 20 years.

4th place. Moon

The moon (yes, it's not a planet) is most attractive in that the flight to it is only 3 days, and building a base there is not as costly as on other space objects. Water was found on the Earth's satellite, a small amount of which is concentrated at the poles. Strictly speaking, that's all - the Moon is no longer attractive as a place for resettlement.

Unfortunately, among all the options considered, terraforming the Moon will probably be the most difficult. It lacks both an atmosphere suitable for life and a significant magnetic field. So there is practically no protection from meteorites and radiation. In addition, it is necessary to solve the problem of all-pervading lunar dust, which not only spoils equipment, but also penetrates into human lungs. In general, to create terrestrial conditions on the moon, you will have to try hard. But its close location to the Earth is an undeniable advantage.

Today, the Moon is considered primarily as a place for scientific research and as a source of minerals. In particular, earthlings are attracted by the presence of helium-3 there, which we will need.

3rd place. Venus

Venus is a neighbor of the Earth and concurrently one of the hottest planets in our system. The reason for this is the densest clouds, which retain the resulting heat in the atmosphere. Because of this, the average temperature on the planet is 477 °C. Nevertheless, if you solve the problem with clouds, then it is quite possible to end up with conditions similar to those on Earth. In addition, getting to Venus is much easier than to any other planet.

Venus is deservedly called the twin of the Earth, because. their diameter and mass are very similar.

In addition to solving the problem of extreme heat, a person will have to solve the problem with water, which is not found on Venus, but there is still hope that somewhere in the bowels of the planet it is. Unpleasant is the fact that without clouds, Venus may be exposed to radiation due to a weak magnetic field.

Scientists already have an idea of how to prepare Venus for active terraforming. You can install special screens between the planet and the Sun, which will reduce the flow of solar energy, which will significantly reduce the temperature. A less elegant way is to bombard Venus with comets and asteroids that carry ice. In addition, according to calculations, it is possible to spin the planet in this way and reduce the Venusian day, which now amounts to 58.5 Earth days. In the process of formation of the hydrosphere, it will already be possible to start throwing algae and terrestrial microorganisms into it.

The size of an asteroid needed to create a hydrosphere on Venus

Thus, the colonization of Venus is quite possible, albeit not in the near future, because now another planet has been chosen by mankind for these purposes ...

2nd place. Titanium

Yes, Titan, a satellite of Saturn, is not a planet, but it fits into our list very colorfully. This is one of the few places in the solar system where life is currently possible.(except the Earth of course) at least in the most primitive form. According to current research, Titan has carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen - everything necessary for life. In addition, a sufficiently dense atmosphere provides reliable protection from cosmic radiation. On Titan there is everything necessary for the life of the colony: from water to the possibility of obtaining rocket fuel. Titanium is very attractive in economic terms, because. there are hundreds of times more liquid carbon than all the oil reserves on Earth. In addition, all these treasures are located directly on the surface of the satellite in the form of lakes.

A person on Titan can be harmed by low pressure, low temperature and the presence of hydrogen cyanide in the atmosphere. You can't do without special spacesuits in the first couple. An unpleasant factor is gravity, which is 7 times lower than ours. Because of this, our body can suffer. And there are often strong earthquakes.

There is a very high probability that Titan will become the 3rd space object after the Moon and Mars, on which a person will land. Today, it is primarily considered as a source of resources that are gradually running out on Earth.

1 place. Mars

It is Mars that lays claim to the planet that man colonizes first. The red planet is suitable for creating life-friendly conditions for humans, according to scientists, to the greatest extent today.

The indisputable advantage of Mars is the ability to produce food resources, oxygen and building materials on the spot. This is an undeniable plus over other options for the planets of the solar system. All this will allow the task of terraforming to be carried out, which will ultimately allow the creation of terrestrial conditions. It will be much easier for a person to get used to the Martian day, which is 24 hours and 39 minutes. And the plants will love it too.

There is definitely water on Mars. This is confirmed by the latest research guys from NASA. And water is life! True, it is in a frozen state, but there is an assumption that there are extensive underground reserves on Mars. The local soil, with additional cultivation, is suitable for growing terrestrial plants.

The Red Planet is seriously considered as a place to create the "Cradle of Humankind" in case a global catastrophe occurs on our planet. True, this is still a distant prospect, and now they look at the red planet rather as a place where it is possible to conduct interesting research and experiments that are dangerous to conduct on Earth.

By the way, there is an opinion that our civilization originated on Mars, but was forced to move to Earth.

Among the main problems that need to be addressed are the weak magnetic field of Mars, a rarefied atmosphere and gravity equal to 38% of the earth's.

To protect against radiation, it is necessary to create a normal magnetic field, which is still unrealistic with the current development of our science. With the current atmosphere, you will also have to decide something, because. it retains neither heat nor air. The average daily temperature on Mars is -55°C. In addition, the atmosphere of the red planet does not provide adequate protection against meteorites. So, until the problem with the optimal atmosphere is solved, you will have to live in special living quarters. The factor of lower gravity will subject the human body to great tests - it will have to rebuild. Another nuisance on Mars is its famous sandstorms, which are very poorly understood today. However, different methods of solving these problems are already being considered, when the organization of life on many other planets still looks like science fiction.

Today, the exploration of Mars is hampered by the high cost of flights. Of course, because the governments of all countries believe that it is better to spend billions on weapons than on conquering other worlds ... So let's hope that we will have time to organize at least cities with their own atmosphere on Mars before we finally pollute the Earth.

A flight to Mars takes about 9 months, but in the foreseeable future, new engines are being developed that can significantly reduce this time. If compared with a flight to Mercury, then the energy costs are simply miserable, not to mention the comparison with interstellar flights.

In general, Mars is the best option in terms of the ratio of habitability and distance from Earth.

Conclusion

In the next 20 years, humans will land on Mars. It will be a great useful experience in terms of exploring other planets. Today, there can be no talk of mass resettlement of earthlings, and there is no need yet. But on the other hand, we know for sure that there is more than one planet that can become our new home.

Earth is the third planet in the solar system. Find out the description of the planet, mass, orbit, size, interesting facts, distance to the Sun, composition, life on Earth.

Of course we love our planet. And not only because it is a home, but also because it is a unique place in the solar system and the universe, because so far we know only life on Earth. It lives in the inner part of the system and occupies a place between Venus and Mars.

planet earth also called the Blue Planet, Gaia, the World and Terra, which reflects its role for each people in historical terms. We know that our planet is rich in many different life forms, but how exactly did it manage to become so? First, consider interesting facts about the Earth.

Interesting facts about planet Earth

Rotation gradually slows down

For earthlings, the entire process of slowing down the rotation of the axis occurs almost imperceptibly - 17 milliseconds per 100 years. But the nature of the speed is not uniform. This results in an increase in the length of the day. After 140 million years, a day will cover 25 hours.

The earth was believed to be the center of the universe

Ancient scientists could observe celestial objects from the position of our planet, so it seemed that all objects in the sky were moving relative to us, and we remained at one point. As a result, Copernicus declared that the Sun (the heliocentric system of the world) is at the center of everything, although now we know that this does not correspond to reality, if we take the scale of the Universe.

Endowed with a powerful magnetic field

The earth's magnetic field is created by the nickel-iron planetary core, which is rapidly rotating. The field is important because it protects us from the influence of the solar wind.

Has one companion

If you look at the percentage, then the Moon is the largest satellite in the system. But in reality it is in the 5th position in size.

The only planet not named after a deity

Ancient scientists named all 7 planets in honor of the gods, and modern scientists, when discovering Uranus and Neptune, followed the tradition.

First in Density

Everything is based on the composition and specific part of the planet. So the core is represented by metal and bypasses the crust in density. The average earth density is 5.52 grams per cm 3.

Size, mass, orbit of the planet Earth

With a radius of 6371 km and a mass of 5.97 x 10 24 kg, the Earth is in the 5th position in terms of size and massiveness. This is the largest terrestrial planet, but it is inferior in size to the gas and ice giants. However, in terms of density (5.514 g / cm 3) it ranks first in the solar system.

polar contraction	0,0033528
Equatorial	6378.1 km
Polar radius	6356.8 km
Medium radius	6371.0 km
Great circle circumference	40,075.017 km (equator) (meridian)
Surface area	510,072,000 km²
Volume	10.8321 10 11 km³
Weight	5.9726 10 24 kg
Average density	5.5153 g/cm³
Acceleration free fall at the equator	9.780327 m/s²
first cosmic speed	7.91 km/s
Second space velocity	11.186 km/s
equatorial speed rotation	1674.4 km/h
Rotation period	(23 h 56 m 4,100 s)
Axis Tilt	23°26’21",4119
Albedo	0.306 (Bond) 0.367 (geom.)

A weak eccentricity (0.0167) is observed in the orbit. The distance from the star at perihelion is 0.983 AU, and at aphelion it is 1.015 AU.

It takes 365.24 days to go around the Sun. We know that due to the existence of a leap year, we add a day every 4 passes. We used to think that a day lasts 24 hours, in reality this time takes 23 hours 56 meters and 4 seconds.

If you observe the rotation of the axis from the poles, you can see that it occurs counterclockwise. The axis is tilted 23.439281° from the perpendicular to the orbital plane. This affects the amount of light and heat.

If the North Pole is turned towards the Sun, then summer is set in the northern hemisphere, and winter is set in the south. At a certain time, the Sun does not rise at all over the Arctic Circle, and then night and winter last there for 6 months.

The composition and surface of the planet Earth

In shape, the planet Earth resembles a spheroid, oblate at the poles and with a bulge on the equatorial line (diameter - 43 km). This is due to rotation.

The structure of the Earth is represented by layers, each of which has its own chemical composition. It differs from other planets in that our core has a clear distribution between the solid inner (radius - 1220 km) and the liquid outer (3400 km).

Next comes the mantle and bark. The first deepens to 2890 km (the densest layer). It is represented by silicate rocks with iron and magnesium. The crust is divided into the lithosphere (tectonic plates) and the asthenosphere (low viscosity). You can carefully consider the structure of the Earth in the diagram.

The lithosphere breaks up into solid tectonic plates. These are rigid blocks that move relative to each other. There are points of connection and break. It is their contact that leads to earthquakes, volcanic activity, the creation of mountains and ocean trenches.

There are 7 main plates: Pacific, North American, Eurasian, African, Antarctic, Indo-Australian and South American.

Our planet is remarkable in that approximately 70.8% of the surface is covered with water. The bottom map of the Earth shows tectonic plates.

The earth landscape is different everywhere. The submerged surface resembles mountains and features underwater volcanoes, oceanic trenches, canyons, plains, and even oceanic plateaus.

During the development of the planet, the surface was constantly changing. Here it is worth considering the movement of tectonic plates, as well as erosion. The transformation of glaciers, the creation of coral reefs, meteorite impacts, etc. also affect.

The continental crust is represented by three varieties: magnesium rocks, sedimentary and metamorphic. The first is divided into granite, andesite and basalt. Sedimentary is 75% and is created during the disposal of accumulated sediment. The latter is formed during icing of sedimentary rock.

From the lowest point, the surface height reaches -418 m (on the Dead Sea) and rises to 8848 m (the summit of Everest). The average height of land above sea level is 840 m. The mass is also divided between hemispheres and continents.

The outer layer contains soil. This is a kind of line between the lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere. Approximately 40% of the surface is used for agricultural purposes.

Atmosphere and temperature of planet Earth

There are 5 layers of the earth's atmosphere: troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere and exosphere. The higher you go, the less air, pressure and density you will feel.

Closest to the surface is the troposphere (0-12 km). It contains 80% of the mass of the atmosphere, with 50% located within the first 5.6 km. Consists of nitrogen (78%) and oxygen (21%) with impurities of water vapor, carbon dioxide and other gaseous molecules.

In the interval of 12-50 km we see the stratosphere. It is separated from the first tropopause - a feature with relatively warm air. This is where the ozone layer is located. The temperature rises as the interlayer absorbs ultraviolet light. The atmospheric layers of the Earth are shown in the figure.

It is a stable layer and virtually free from turbulence, clouds and other weather formations.

At an altitude of 50-80 km is the mesosphere. This is the coldest place (-85°C). It is located near the mesopause, which extends from 80 km to the thermopause (500-1000 km). The ionosphere lives within 80-550 km. Here the temperature rises with altitude. In the photo of the Earth you can admire the northern lights.

The layer is devoid of clouds and water vapor. But it is here that the auroras are formed and the International Space Station (320-380 km) is located.

The outermost sphere is the exosphere. This is a transitional layer to outer space, devoid of atmosphere. Represented by hydrogen, helium and heavier molecules with low density. However, the atoms are so widely dispersed that the layer does not behave like a gas, and the particles are constantly escaping into space. Most of the satellites live here.

This score is influenced by many factors. The Earth makes an axial rotation in 24 hours, which means that one side always experiences night and lower temperatures. In addition, the axis is tilted, so the northern and southern hemispheres take turns deviating and approaching.

All this creates seasonality. Not every part of the earth experiences sharp drops and rises in temperatures. For example, the amount of light entering the equatorial line remains virtually unchanged.

If we take the average, we get 14 ° C. But the maximum is 70.7°C (Lut Desert), and the minimum of -89.2°C was reached at the Soviet station Vostok on the Antarctic Plateau in July 1983.

Moon and Earth's asteroids

The planet has only one satellite, which affects not only the physical changes of the planet (for example, tides), but also reflected in history and culture. To be precise, the Moon is the only celestial body on which a person walked. It happened on July 20, 1969, and Neil Armstrong got the first step. Generally speaking, 13 astronauts landed on the satellite.

The moon appeared 4.5 billion years ago due to the collision of the Earth and a Martian-sized object (Theia). You can be proud of our satellite, because it is one of the largest moons in the system, and also ranks second in density (after Io). It is in a gravitational lock (one side always faces the Earth).

It covers 3474.8 km in diameter (1/4 of the Earth's), and its mass is 7.3477 x 10 22 kg. The average density is 3.3464 g/cm 3 . According to gravity, it reaches only 17% of the earth. The moon affects the earth's tides, as well as the activity of all living organisms.

Do not forget that there are lunar and solar eclipses. The first happens when the Moon enters the Earth's shadow, and the second happens when a satellite passes between us and the Sun. The satellite's atmosphere is weak, which causes temperature readings to fluctuate greatly (from -153°C to 107°C).

Helium, neon and argon can be found in the atmosphere. The first two are created by the solar wind, and argon is due to the radioactive decay of potassium. There is also evidence of frozen water in the craters. The surface is divided into different types. There is Maria - flat plains, which ancient astronomers took for the seas. Terras are lands, like highlands. You can even see mountainous areas and craters.

Earth has five asteroids. Satellite 2010 TK7 resides at point L4, and asteroid 2006 RH120 approaches the Earth-Moon system every 20 years. If we talk about artificial satellites, then there are 1265 of them, as well as 300,000 pieces of garbage.

Formation and evolution of the planet Earth

In the 18th century, mankind came to the conclusion that our terrestrial planet, like the entire solar system, emerged from a foggy cloud. That is, 4.6 billion years ago, our system resembled a circumstellar disk, represented by gas, ice and dust. Then most of it approached the center and, under pressure, transformed into the Sun. The remaining particles created the planets known to us.

The primordial Earth appeared 4.54 billion years ago. From the very beginning, it was melted due to volcanoes and frequent collisions with other objects. But 4-2.5 billion years ago, solid crust and tectonic plates appeared. Degassing and volcanoes created the first atmosphere, and ice that arrived on comets formed the oceans.

The surface layer did not remain frozen, so the continents converged and moved apart. Approximately 750 million years ago, the very first supercontinent began to diverge. Pannotia was created 600-540 million years ago, and the last (Pangaea) collapsed 180 million years ago.

The modern picture was created 40 million years ago and fixed 2.58 million years ago. The last ice age, which began 10,000 years ago, is currently underway.

It is believed that the first hints of life on Earth appeared 4 billion years ago (the Archean eon). Due to chemical reactions, self-replicating molecules appeared. Photosynthesis created molecular oxygen, which together with ultraviolet rays formed the first ozone layer.

Further, various multicellular organisms began to appear. Microbial life arose 3.7-3.48 billion years ago. 750-580 million years ago, most of the planet was covered with glaciers. Active reproduction of organisms started during the Cumbrian explosion.

Since that moment (535 million years ago), history has 5 major extinction events. The last (the death of dinosaurs from a meteorite) occurred 66 million years ago.

They were replaced by new species. The African ape-like animal stood up on its hind legs and freed its forelimbs. This stimulated the brain to apply various tools. Further, we know about the development of crops, socialization and other mechanisms that led us to modern man.

Reasons why planet earth is habitable

If the planet meets a number of conditions, then it is considered potentially habitable. Now the Earth is the only lucky one with developed life forms. What is needed? Let's start with the main criterion - liquid water. In addition, the main star must provide enough light and heat to maintain the atmosphere. An important factor is the location in the habitat (the distance of the Earth from the Sun).

You have to understand how lucky we are. After all, Venus is similar in size, but because of its proximity to the Sun, it is a hell of a hot place with acid rain. And Mars behind us is too cold and has a weak atmosphere.

Planet earth research

The first attempts to explain the origin of the Earth were based on religion and myths. Often the planet became a deity, namely a mother. Therefore, in many cultures, the history of everything begins with the mother and the birth of our planet.

The shape is also very interesting. In ancient times, the planet was considered flat, but different cultures added their own characteristics. For example, in Mesopotamia, a flat disk floated in the middle of the ocean. The Maya had 4 jaguars holding the heavens. For the Chinese, it was generally a cube.

Already in the 6th century BC. e. scientists sewed to a round shape. Surprisingly, in the 3rd century BC. e. Eratosthenes even managed to calculate the circle with an error of 5-15%. The spherical shape was fixed with the advent of the Roman Empire. Aristotle spoke about changes in the earth's surface. He believed that this happens too slowly, so a person is not able to catch. This is where attempts to understand the age of the planet arise.

Scientists are actively studying geology. The first catalog of minerals was created by Pliny the Elder in the 1st century AD. In the 11th century in Persia, explorers studied Indian geology. The theory of geomorphology was created by the Chinese naturalist Shen Guo. He identified marine fossils located far from the water.

In the 16th century, understanding and exploration of the Earth expanded. It is worth thanking the heliocentric model of Copernicus, which proved that the Earth does not act as a universal center (previously they used the geocentric system). And also Galileo Galilei for his telescope.

In the 17th century, geology was firmly entrenched among other sciences. It is said that the term was coined by Ulysses Aldvandi or Mikkel Eschholt. The fossils discovered at that time caused serious controversy in the earth age. All religious people insisted on 6,000 years (as the Bible said).

These disputes ended in 1785 when James Hutton declared that the Earth was much older. It was based on the blurring of rocks and the calculation of the time required for this. In the 18th century, scientists were divided into 2 camps. The former believed that the rocks were precipitated by floods, while the latter complained about the fiery conditions. Hutton stood in firing position.

The first geological maps of the Earth appeared in the 19th century. The main work is "Principles of Geology", published in 1830 by Charles Lyell. In the 20th century, it became much easier to calculate the age thanks to radiometric dating (2 billion years). However, already the study of tectonic plates has led to a modern mark of 4.5 billion years.

The future of planet Earth

Our life depends on the behavior of the Sun. However, each star has its own evolutionary path. It is expected that in 3.5 billion years it will increase in volume by 40%. This will increase the flow of radiation, and the oceans may simply evaporate. Then plants will die, and in a billion years all living things will disappear, and a constant average temperature will be fixed at around 70 ° C.

In 5 billion years, the Sun will transform into a red giant and shift our orbit by 1.7 AU.

If you look through the entire earth's history, then humanity is just a fleeting flash. However, the Earth remains the most important planet, a native home and a unique place. One can only hope that we will have time to populate other planets outside our system before the critical period of solar development. Below you can explore the map of the Earth's surface. In addition, on our site there are many beautiful photos of the planet and places of the Earth from space in high resolution. With the help of online telescopes from the ISS and satellites, you can observe the planet in real time for free.

Click on the image to enlarge it

solar system- these are 8 planets and more than 63 of their satellites, which are being discovered more and more often, several dozen comets and a large number of asteroids. All cosmic bodies move along their clear directed trajectories around the Sun, which is 1000 times heavier than all the bodies in the solar system combined. The center of the solar system is the Sun - a star around which planets revolve in orbits. They do not emit heat and do not glow, but only reflect the light of the sun. There are currently 8 officially recognized planets in the solar system. Briefly, in order of distance from the sun, we list them all. And now some definitions.

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

Star- This 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.

Planet satellites. The solar system also includes the Moon and the natural satellites of other planets, which all of them have, except for Mercury and Venus. More than 60 satellites are known. Most of the satellites of the outer planets were discovered when they received photographs taken by robotic spacecraft. Jupiter's smallest moon, Leda, is only 10 km across.

is a star, without which life on Earth could not exist. It gives us energy and warmth. According to the classification of stars, the Sun is a yellow dwarf. The age is about 5 billion years. It has a diameter at the equator equal to 1,392,000 km, 109 times larger than the earth. The rotation period at the equator is 25.4 days and 34 days at the poles. The mass of the Sun is 2x10 to the 27th power of tons, approximately 332950 times the mass of the Earth. The temperature inside the core is about 15 million degrees Celsius. The surface temperature is about 5500 degrees Celsius. According to the chemical composition, the Sun consists of 75% hydrogen, and of the other 25% of the elements, most of all helium. Now let's figure out in order how many planets revolve around the sun, in the solar system and the characteristics of the planets.

The four inner planets (nearest to the Sun) - Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars - have a solid surface. They are smaller than four giant planets. Mercury moves faster than other planets, being burned by the sun's rays during the day and freezing at night.

Period of revolution around the Sun: 87.97 days.
Diameter at the equator: 4878 km.
Rotation period (turn around the axis): 58 days.
Surface temperature: 350 during the day and -170 at night.
Atmosphere: very rarefied, helium.
How many satellites: 0.
The main satellites of the planet: 0.

More like the Earth in size and brightness. Observation of it is difficult because of the clouds enveloping it. The surface is a hot rocky desert. Period of revolution around the Sun: 224.7 days.
Diameter at the equator: 12104 km.
Rotation period (turn around the axis): 243 days.
Surface temperature: 480 degrees (average).
Atmosphere: dense, mostly carbon dioxide.
How many satellites: 0.
The main satellites of the planet: 0.

Apparently, the Earth was formed from a gas and dust cloud, like other planets. Particles of gas and dust, colliding, gradually "raised" the planet. The temperature on the surface reached 5000 degrees Celsius. Then the Earth cooled down and became covered with a hard stone crust. But the temperature in the depths is still quite high - 4500 degrees. Rocks in the bowels are molten and pour out to the surface during volcanic eruptions. Only on earth there is water. That's why life exists here. It is located relatively close to the Sun to receive the necessary heat and light, but far enough away so as not to burn out.

Period of revolution around the Sun: 365.3 days.
Diameter at the equator: 12756 km.
The period of rotation of the planet (rotation around the axis): 23 hours 56 minutes.
Surface temperature: 22 degrees (average).
Atmosphere: mostly nitrogen and oxygen.
Number of satellites: 1.
The main satellites of the planet: the Moon.

Due to the similarity with the Earth, it was believed that life exists here. But the spacecraft that landed on the surface of Mars found no signs of life. This is the fourth planet in order. Period of revolution around the Sun: 687 days.
Diameter of the planet at the equator: 6794 km.
Rotation period (rotation around the axis): 24 hours 37 minutes.
Surface temperature: -23 degrees (average).
Atmosphere of the planet: rarefied, mostly carbon dioxide.
How many satellites: 2.
Main moons in order: Phobos, Deimos.

Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune are made up of hydrogen and other gases. Jupiter is more than 10 times larger than Earth in diameter, 300 times in mass and 1300 times in volume. It is more than twice as massive as all the planets in the solar system combined. How much planet Jupiter does it take to become a star? It is necessary to increase its mass by 75 times!

The period of revolution around the Sun: 11 years 314 days.
Diameter of the planet at the equator: 143884 km.
Rotation period (turn around the axis): 9 hours 55 minutes.
Surface temperature of the planet: -150 degrees (average).
Number of satellites: 16 (+ rings).
The main satellites of the planets in order: Io, Europa, Ganymede, Callisto.

This is the number 2 largest of the planets in the solar system. Saturn draws attention to itself thanks to a system of rings formed from ice, rocks and dust that orbit the planet. There are three main rings with an outer diameter of 270,000 km, but their thickness is about 30 meters. The period of revolution around the Sun: 29 years 168 days.
Diameter of the planet at the equator: 120536 km.
Rotation period (turn around the axis): 10 hours 14 minutes.
Surface temperature: -180 degrees (average).
Atmosphere: mostly hydrogen and helium.
Number of satellites: 18 (+ rings).
Main satellites: Titan.

Unique planet in the solar system. Its peculiarity is that it revolves around the Sun not like everyone else, but "lying on its side." Uranus also has rings, although they are harder to see. In 1986, Voyager 2 flew 64,000 km and had six hours of photography, which it successfully completed.

Orbital period: 84 years 4 days.
Diameter at the equator: 51118 km.
The period of rotation of the planet (rotation around the axis): 17 hours 14 minutes.
Surface temperature: -214 degrees (average).
Atmosphere: mostly hydrogen and helium.
How many satellites: 15 (+ rings).
Main satellites: Titania, Oberon.

At the moment, Neptune is considered the last planet in the solar system. Its discovery took place by the method of mathematical calculations, and then they saw it through a telescope. In 1989, Voyager 2 flew by. He took amazing photographs of the blue surface of Neptune and its largest moon, Triton. The period of revolution around the Sun: 164 years 292 days.
Diameter at the equator: 50538 km.
Rotation period (turn around the axis): 16 hours 7 minutes.
Surface temperature: -220 degrees (average).
Atmosphere: mostly hydrogen and helium.
Number of satellites: 8.
Main moons: Triton.

On August 24, 2006, Pluto lost planetary status. The International Astronomical Union has decided which celestial body should be considered a planet. Pluto does not meet the requirements of the new formulation and loses its "planetary status", at the same time, Pluto passes into a new quality and becomes the prototype of a separate class of dwarf planets.

How did the planets appear? Approximately 5-6 billion years ago, one of the gas and dust clouds of our large Galaxy (the Milky Way), which has the shape of a disk, began to shrink towards the center, gradually forming the current Sun. Further, according to one of the theories, under the influence of powerful forces of attraction, a large number of dust and gas particles rotating around the Sun began to stick together into balls - forming future planets. According to another theory, the gas and dust cloud immediately broke up into separate clusters of particles, which, compressed and compacted, formed the current planets. Now 8 planets revolve around the sun constantly.

The solar system is a planetary system that includes the central star - the Sun - and all the natural objects of space revolving around it. It was formed by gravitational compression of a gas and dust cloud about 4.57 billion years ago. We will find out which planets are part of the solar system, how they are located in relation to the Sun and their brief description.

Brief information about the planets of the solar system

The number of planets in the solar system is 8, and they are classified in order of distance from the Sun:

Inner planets or terrestrial planets- Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars. They consist mainly of silicates and metals.
outer planets- Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune are the so-called gas giants. They are much more massive than the terrestrial planets. The largest planets in the solar system, Jupiter and Saturn, are composed mainly of hydrogen and helium; smaller gas giants, Uranus and Neptune, in addition to hydrogen and helium, contain methane and carbon monoxide in their atmospheres.

Rice. 1. Planets of the solar system.

The list of planets in the solar system in order from the sun is as follows: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. By listing the planets from largest to smallest, this order changes. The largest planet is Jupiter, followed by Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Earth, Venus, Mars and finally Mercury.

All planets revolve around the Sun in the same direction as the Sun's rotation (counterclockwise as viewed from the north pole of the Sun).

Mercury has the highest angular velocity - it manages to make a complete revolution around the Sun in just 88 Earth days. And for the most distant planet - Neptune - the period of revolution is 165 Earth years.

Most of the planets rotate around their axis in the same direction as they revolve around the sun. The exceptions are Venus and Uranus, and Uranus rotates almost "lying on its side" (axis tilt is about 90 degrees).

Terrestrial planets (inner planets)

The four planets closest to the Sun consist mainly of heavy elements, have a small number of satellites, and have no rings. They are largely composed of refractory minerals such as silicates that form their mantle and crust, and metals such as iron and nickel that form their core. Three of these planets - Venus, Earth and Mars - have an atmosphere.

Mercury- is the closest planet to the Sun and the smallest planet in the system. The planet has no satellites.
Venus- is close in size to the Earth and, like the Earth, has a thick silicate shell around the iron core and atmosphere (because of this, Venus is often called the "sister" of the Earth). However, the amount of water on Venus is much less than on Earth, and its atmosphere is 90 times denser. Venus has no satellites.

Venus is the hottest planet in our system, with surface temperatures exceeding 400 degrees Celsius. The most likely reason for such a high temperature is the greenhouse effect due to the dense atmosphere rich in carbon dioxide.

Rice. 2. Venus is the hottest planet in the solar system

Earth- is the largest and densest of the terrestrial planets. The question of whether life exists anywhere other than Earth remains open. Among the terrestrial planets, the Earth is unique (primarily due to the hydrosphere). Earth's atmosphere is radically different from the atmospheres of other planets - it contains free oxygen. The Earth has one natural satellite - the Moon, the only large satellite of the planets of the terrestrial group of the solar system.
Mars smaller than Earth and Venus. It has an atmosphere composed mainly of carbon dioxide. On its surface there are volcanoes, the largest of which, Olympus, exceeds the size of all terrestrial volcanoes, reaching a height of 21.2 km.

Outer region of the solar system

The outer region of the solar system is the location of the gas giants and their satellites.

Jupiter- has a mass of 318 times more than the earth, and 2.5 times more massive than all the other planets combined. It consists mainly of hydrogen and helium. Jupiter has 67 moons.
Saturn- known for its extensive ring system, it is the least dense planet in the solar system (its average density is less than that of water). Saturn has 62 moons.

Rice. 3. Planet Saturn.

Uranus- the seventh planet from the Sun is the lightest of the giant planets. What makes it unique among other planets is that it rotates "lying on its side": the inclination of its axis of rotation to the plane of the ecliptic is approximately 98 degrees. Uranus has 27 moons.
Neptune is the last planet in the solar system. Although slightly smaller than Uranus, it is more massive and therefore denser. Neptune has 14 known moons.

What have we learned?

One of the interesting topics of astronomy is the structure of the solar system. We learned what names of the planets of the solar system are, in what order they are located in relation to the Sun, what are their distinctive features and brief characteristics. This information is so interesting and informative that it will be useful even for children in grade 4.

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

It is believed that our system of planets 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 a collection 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

In 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 belongs to this group of planets, it was considered the 9th planet from the Sun, however, due to its considerable distance from the Sun and its small size, it was excluded from this list and called a dwarf planet. Rather, it is one of several dwarf planets in the Kuiper belt.

All the above planets are usually divided into two large groups: the terrestrial group and the 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 closer than the others to the Sun.

The gas giants include: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune. They are characterized by large sizes and the presence of rings, which are ice dust and rocky pieces. These planets are made up mostly 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 neighborhood predetermined a significant temperature difference. The average temperature on Mercury during the day is +350 degrees Celsius, and at night it is -170 degrees.

Mercury is the first planet from the Sun.
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.
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.
The first research vehicle to visit Mercury was Mariner 10. It conducted a series of demonstration flybys in 1974.
A day on Mercury lasts 59 Earth days, and a year is only 88 days.
On Mercury, the most dramatic temperature changes are observed, which reach 610 ° C. During the day, the temperature can reach 430 ° C, and at night -180 ° C.
The force of gravity on the surface of the planet is only 38% of the Earth's. This means that on Mercury you could jump three times as high, and it would be easier to lift heavy objects.
The first telescope observations of Mercury were made by Galileo Galilei in the early 17th century.
Mercury has no natural satellites.
The first official map of the surface of Mercury 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 is significantly different from our planet. A day here lasts 243 Earth days, and a year - 255 days. The atmosphere of Venus is 95% carbon dioxide, which creates a greenhouse effect on its surface. This leads to the fact that the average temperature on the planet is 475 degrees Celsius. The atmosphere also includes 5% nitrogen and 0.1% oxygen.

Venus is the second planet from the Sun in the solar system.
Venus is the hottest planet in the solar system, although it is the second planet from the Sun. Surface temperature can reach 475°C.
The first spacecraft sent to explore Venus was launched from Earth on February 12, 1961 and was called Venera 1.
Venus is one of two planets that has a different direction of rotation than most planets in the solar system.
The orbit of the planet around the Sun is very close to circular.
The day and night temperatures of the surface of Venus are practically the same due to the large thermal inertia of the atmosphere.
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.
The first telescope observations of Venus were made by Galileo Galilei in the early 17th century.
Venus has no natural satellites.
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 water in liquid form, and, therefore, for the emergence of life.

Its surface is 70% covered with water, and it is the only one of the planets that has such an amount of liquid. It is believed that many thousands of years ago, the 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.

Earth is the third planet from the sun in the solar system.a;
One natural satellite revolves around our planet - the Moon;
Earth is the only planet not named after a divine being;
The Earth's density is the largest of all the planets in the solar system;
The speed of the Earth's rotation is gradually slowing down;
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;
The earth has a magnetic field strong enough to protect living organisms on its surface from harmful solar radiation;
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;
In orbit around the Earth, compared with other planets, there is the largest number of spacecraft;
Earth is the largest terrestrial planet in the solar system;

Mars

This planet is the fourth in a row 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 the Earth, and the atmosphere is quite rarefied, which allows solar radiation to freely affect the surface. In this regard, if there is life on Mars, it is not on the surface.

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

Mars is located on the fourth orbit from the Sun;
The Red Planet hosts the tallest volcano in the solar system;
Of the 40 exploration missions sent to Mars, only 18 were successful;
Mars has the largest dust storms in the solar system;
In 30-50 million years, a system of rings will be located around Mars, like that of Saturn;
Fragments of Mars have been found on Earth;
The sun from the surface of Mars looks half as large as from the surface of the Earth;
Mars is the only planet in the solar system that has polar ice caps;
Two natural satellites revolve around Mars - Deimos and Phobos;
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 the 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 is made up 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.

Jupiter is located in the fifth orbit from the Sun;
In the earth's sky, Jupiter is the fourth brightest object, after the Sun, Moon and Venus;
Jupiter has the shortest day of all the planets in the solar system;
In Jupiter's atmosphere, one of the longest and most powerful storms in the solar system, better known as the Great Red Spot, rages;
Jupiter's moon, Ganymede, is the largest moon in the solar system;
Around Jupiter is a thin system of rings;
Jupiter was visited by 8 research vehicles;
Jupiter has a strong magnetic field;
If Jupiter were 80 times more massive, it would become a star;
There are 67 natural satellites revolving around Jupiter. This is the largest figure 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 is 10.5 hours. The average surface temperature is -180 degrees.

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

Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun;
Saturn's atmosphere has some of the strongest winds in the solar system;
Saturn is one of the least dense planets in the solar system;
Around the planet is the largest ring system in the solar system;
One day on the planet lasts almost one Earth year and is equal to 378 Earth days;
Saturn was visited by 4 research spacecraft;
Saturn together with Jupiter make up approximately 92% of the entire planetary mass of the solar system;
One year on the planet lasts 29.5 Earth years;
There are 62 known natural satellites revolving around the planet;
Currently, the automatic interplanetary station Cassini is engaged in the study of 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 the "ice planet", as the temperature on its surface is -224 degrees. A day on Uranus lasts 17 hours, and a year is 84 Earth years. At the same time, summer lasts as long as winter - 42 years. Such a natural phenomenon 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, as it were, "lies on its side."

Uranus is located in the seventh orbit from the Sun;
The first to know about the existence of Uranus was William Herschel in 1781;
Only one spacecraft has visited Uranus, Voyager 2 in 1982;
Uranus is the coldest planet in the solar system;
The equatorial plane of Uranus is inclined to the plane of its orbit almost at a right angle - that is, the planet rotates retrograde, "lying on its side slightly upside down";
The moons of Uranus bear names taken from the works of William Shakespeare and Alexander Pope, not from Greek or Roman mythology;
A day on Uranus lasts about 17 Earth hours;
There are 13 known rings around Uranus;
One year on Uranus lasts 84 Earth years;
There are 27 known natural satellites revolving around Uranus;

Neptune

Neptune is the eighth planet from the Sun. In its composition and size, it is similar 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 belongs to the ice giants and for a long time it was believed that no weather events occur on its icy surface. However, it has recently been found that Neptune has raging eddies and wind speeds the highest of 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 that it has its own atmosphere.

Neptune also has rings. This planet has 6.

Neptune is the most distant planet in the solar system and occupies the eighth orbit from the Sun;
Mathematicians were the first to know about the existence of Neptune;
There are 14 moons circling Neptune;
The orbit of Nepputna is removed from the Sun by an average of 30 AU;
One day on Neptune lasts 16 Earth hours;
Neptune has only been visited by one spacecraft, Voyager 2;
Around Neptune there is a system of rings;
Neptune has the second highest gravity after Jupiter;
One year on Neptune lasts 164 Earth years;
The atmosphere on Neptune is extremely active;

Jupiter is considered the largest planet in the solar system.
There are 5 dwarf planets in the solar system, one of which was reclassified as Pluto.
There are very few asteroids in the solar system.
Venus is the hottest planet in the solar system.
About 99% of the space (by volume) is occupied by the Sun in the solar system.
One of the most beautiful and original places in the solar system is the satellite of Saturn. There you can see a huge concentration of ethane and liquid methane.
Our solar system has a tail that resembles a four-leaf clover.
The sun follows a continuous 11-year cycle.
There are 8 planets in the solar system.
The solar system is fully formed thanks to a large gas and dust cloud.
Spacecraft flew to all the planets of the solar system.
Venus is the only planet in the solar system that rotates counterclockwise on its axis.
Uranus has 27 moons.
The largest mountain is on Mars.
A huge mass of objects in the solar system fell on the sun.
The solar system is part of the Milky Way galaxy.
The sun is the central object of the solar system.
The solar system is often divided into regions.
The sun is a key component of the solar system.
The solar system was formed about 4.5 billion years ago.
Pluto is the most distant planet in the solar system.
Two regions in the solar system are filled with small bodies.
The solar system is built contrary to all the laws of the universe.
If we compare the solar system and space, then it is just a grain of sand in it.
Over the past few centuries, the solar system has lost 2 planets: Vulcan and Pluto.
Researchers claim that the solar system was created artificially.
The only satellite in the solar system that has a dense atmosphere and whose surface cannot be seen due to cloud cover is Titan.
The region of the solar system beyond the orbit of Neptune is called the Kuiper belt.
The Oort cloud is a region of the solar system that serves as the source of a comet and a long period of revolution.
Every object in the solar system is held there by gravity.
The leading theory of the solar system proposes the emergence of planets and satellites from a huge cloud.
The solar system is considered the most secret particle of the Universe.
There is a huge asteroid belt in the solar system.
On Mars, you can see the eruption of the largest volcano in the solar system, which is called Olympus.
Pluto is considered to be the outskirts of the solar system.
Jupiter has a large ocean of liquid water.
The Moon is the largest satellite in the solar system.
The largest asteroid in the solar system is Pallas.
The brightest planet in the solar system is Venus.
The majority of the solar system is made up of hydrogen.
Earth is an equal member of the solar system.
The sun heats up slowly.
Oddly enough, the largest reserves of water in the solar system are in the sun.
The plane of the equator of each planet in the solar system diverges from the plane of the orbit.
The satellite of Mars with the name Phobos is an anomaly of the solar system.
The solar system can amaze with its diversity and scale.
The planets of the solar system are influenced by the sun.
The outer shell of the solar system is considered the haven of satellites and gas giants.
A huge number of planetary satellites of the solar system are dead.
The largest asteroid, with a diameter of 950 km, is called Ceres.

*Planet*	*Distance from the Sun*	*Period of circulation*	*Rotation period*	*Diameter, km.*	*Number of satellites*	*Density g / cu. cm.*
Mercury