The Solar System and Its Planets Flashcards
(16 cards)
the yellow dwarf star at the center of our solar system
Sun
age of the Sun
4.6 billion years old
the Sun is composed of ____ and ____
hydrogen (99.8%); helium (0.8%)
average temperature of the surface of the Sun
5,600 C
average temperature of the core of the Sun
15,000,000 C
unit of measurement; distance between the Sun and the Earth
Astronomical Unit (AU)
1 AU = 150,000,000 km
innermost planet closest to the Sun; smallest of all planets
Mercury
Mercury is named after ____
Roman messenger of the gods; god of communication and commerce
second planet from the Sun; hottest planet in the solar system
Venus
Venus is named after ____
Roman goddess of love
longest known lava channel in the solar system
found on Venus
Baltis Vallis
third planet from the Sun; only known planet in the solar system suitable for life
Earth
etymology for Earth
Old English ‘ertha’
other names: Greek ‘gaia’; Latin ‘terra’
fourth planet from the Sun; closest to being Earth-like
Mars
Mars is named after ____
Roman god of war
largest volcano in the solar system
found on Mars
Olympus Mons
