Solar System Advantages

There are many differences among our planets and moons in our Solar System. The geologic activity, composition, interior structure, magnetic field, and atmosphere are all factors that help give these planets and moons there identity. We have sent probes over the years to help examine these properties.

In the outer limits of our solar system there is a planet unlike any other, Pluto. Pluto was discovered in February of 1930 by an American astronomer, Clyde Tombaugh. It is the only planet to have been discovered by an American. All though we have known of the existence of Pluto for over thirty years now, there are still many mysteries surrounding this celestial body. Being the farthest planet has made it difficult to study Pluto, Adding to the obscurity of this strange planet is that the capability to send spacecraft such distances has never been achieved. Through the wonders of science and astronomy, there are many things that can be determined, concluded, and hypothesized about this obscure planet.

Mostly every planet in our solar system has some traces of iron that can be found. But the moon is unique, because there is little to no iron on the moon. The Moon has an abnormally low density compared to the terrestrial planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars), indicating that it lacks high-density iron (Giant Impact Theory For Moon Formation Boosted 1). The density of the moon is 3.346 g/cm3, while the Earth is much denser at 5.52 g/cm3 (Cain 1). The moons low density correlates with the Giant Impact

Barucci, M. A., Boehnhardt, H., Cruikshank, D. P., Morbidelli, A. and Renee Dotson: 2008, The Solar System Beyond Neptune, University of Arizona Press.

“Perhaps most important for the science of astronomy is that the discovery of Uranus began the search for other undiscovered planets in our solar system. It was the beginning of a second phase in the discovery of planets, during which Neptune and Pluto were discovered.”

Since the discovery of “trans-Neptunian” object, this led some scientists to push for a ruling by the IAU to more strictly define what a planet really is, so in response the IAU had established what all

The Investigation of the Large Outer Planets by the Space Probes, Voyager 1 and 2 and Casini

Pluto is a Plutoid in the solar system located beyond the orbit of Neptune in the Kuiper belt. It is distant more than 6 billion miles from the sun. Pluto’s history will be examined from its discovery and naming to its recent classification. The planetoid’s orbit will be surveyed as it passes inside and out of Neptune’s orbit. Charon, Pluto’s largest satellite, will be discussed as a possible binary planetoid and the four smaller satellites. Pluto’s composition will be studied from its thin atmosphere to its core. Finally, the significance of several theories of Pluto’s place in the solar system will be analyzed.

There are nearly 2,000 exoplanets on the books, and much is known about them, at least in broad strokes, such as their sizes, masses and distances from Earth. Yet the details that give these celestial bodies their individuality — weather, winds, air, and even the colors of their skies — remain scant. This is particularly true for the growing number of small, Earth-size exoplanets, from which astronomers hope to glean clues about life's potential genesis elsewhere in the

The desire to explore and further understand space, especially the neighborhood that is our solar system, is a dream many of us have when we are younger that persists for some throughout their life. Project Galileo aimed to do just that, but met with many complications and obstructions. However, through cleverness, determination, and teamwork, these challenges were dealt with and the mission was able to continue on.

The eighth, and final planet, in the solar system is Neptune. Neptune is in some ways a twin to Uranus, for example, it is slightly smaller at 49,528 km, is slightly warmer at -214 degrees Celsius, and has many of the same features that Uranus has. Neptune’s surface is also slightly darker than Uranus’ because there is more methane in the atmosphere above its clouds. (1) However, Neptune has more markings than Uranus. For example, one feature called the “Great Dark Spot”, much like Jupiter’s “Great Red Spot”, was seen by the Voyager 2 in August of 1989. The spot has disappeared, but more like it have popped up in its place. Also, to observe Neptune, it can be easily followed using binoculars, but it is too faint to view with the naked eye.

The structure of the Moon's interior is more troublesome to investigate. The Moon's outermost layer is jagged and solid, possibly up to 800 kilometres thick. Underneath the layer of it is a partially molten zone. (Russel, 2005). Its jagged mantle is about 825 miles (1,330 km) thick and contains many rocks which are very rich in magnesium and iron. Magma that was inside of the mantle had come to the surface in the past and erupted for more than a billion years. (Choi, 2014).

Advise students to look for data that shows what these celestial bodies have in common, and how they are different. Using library books, the Internet, and other research resources, students will need to sort information into agreed upon categories as individuals, partners, or teams. Make sure that book copyrights are recent and that websites are authentic science resources so that students acquire valid and up-to-date information.

Exoplanets, also referred to as extra solar planets, are planets which orbit around stars in planetary systems other than our own Solar System. The first exoplanet that was ever discovered was of PSR B1257+12 A in 1992, since then we have discovered approximately 1932 extra solar planets, 1222 planetary systems and 484 multiple planet systems. A wide range of techniques are used by astronomers to find exoplanets, most of which uses observation from Earth to deduce exoplanet locations and properties, features and conditions. There are also many reasons why the astronomers research into exoplanets, with one of the main reasons being the desire for humanity to leave Earth, as we would not be able to live in this world forever, whether it is due to induced causes like global warming or natural causes like the sun aging and eventually exploding as a supernova. Humanity’s time on Earth is finite, which is the main drive for scientists and astronomers alike to discover life as we know it on extra solar planets in other planetary systems. (Gammon 2013, Exoplanet.eu 2015, Phoenixpics 2009)

Uncovering the mysteries of Jupiter is a crucial step for a greater understanding of our Solar System. Being the massive planet that it is, this mysterious planet may hold many answers to how our the Solar System formed and evolved. The understanding of the origins of the universe includes answers even to the formation of Earth itself. Many believe that the research of Jupiter will lead to discoveries on planet formation and the role of giant planets on the formation f stars and other smaller bodies. Mysteries of Jupiter include its composition, what is under its clouds, what is in its core and its magnetic field. Research on the amount of water in the planet will tell us about the