It's time to meet the neighbors! Learn about the planets’ unique features from what they made of to their sizes, and densities, not to mention those groovy dance moves around the sun.
Watch this animation to find out more about the planets in our solar system.
You might want to check the definitions of specific vocabulary terms. In addition to the glossary words you’ve already learned, the terms terrestrial planet, gas giant planet, and density will also be used. You may pause the animation, rewatch it as many times as you like, and read the transcript.
When you've finished viewing, answer the questions in the Take Notes box below.
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Our little corner of the galaxy is home to 8 planets and each has individual features that make it unique (composition, size, density, movement).
When it comes to what they are made of, our planets come in two main “flavors”.
The small, rocky, terrestrial planets hang out close to the sun, while the gas giants occupy the outer regions.
Planets also come in different sizes- the smallest is a little bigger than Earth’s moon (Mercury), and the largest would fit 1,000 Earths inside (Jupiter).
Density- how much mass is packed into a certain space– also differs from planet to planet. The terrestrial planets are more dense, while the larger gas giants are less dense.
And finally, the planets differ in how they move. The further out the planet is in our solar system, the longer it takes to make a trip around the sun. And each planet has a unique rotation- some spin faster than Earth, some spin slower.
All of this makes for a pretty fun neighborhood, but one planet stands out.
Because of our composition and distance from the sun, Earth has a particular balance of liquid water, atmosphere, and temperature. Because of that, we steal the show with our variety, abundance and the, well, existence of life. Our biology is by far, the coolest party trick on the block.
Type the answers to these questions in the note box, below.
1. What are the two main “flavors” of planets in our solar system?
2. How do the planets vary in size?
3. How do the planets vary in density?
4. How do the planets vary in their movement around the sun?