describe the inner planets.
http://www.universetoday.com/33059/inner-planets/
Thanks Ms. Sue!!
You are welcome.
The inner planets, also known as terrestrial planets or rocky planets, are the four planets closest to the Sun in our solar system. They include Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. Here is a description of each inner planet:
1. Mercury: Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun and the smallest planet in our solar system. It has a rocky, cratered surface and experiences extreme temperature variations, ranging from scorching hot to freezing cold due to its lack of atmosphere. It takes about 88 Earth days to complete one orbit around the Sun.
2. Venus: Venus is often referred to as Earth's "sister planet" due to its similar size and composition. It is the hottest planet in our solar system with a thick atmosphere composed mainly of carbon dioxide, causing a runaway greenhouse effect and resulting in a surface temperature high enough to melt lead. Venus is shrouded in thick clouds of sulfuric acid, making it difficult to observe its surface. It takes about 225 Earth days to orbit around the Sun.
3. Earth: Earth is the third planet from the Sun and the only known planet to harbor life. It has a diverse ecosystem, abundant water, and a breathable atmosphere composed mostly of nitrogen and oxygen. Earth is unique for its moderate temperatures suitable for sustaining life as we know it. It takes about 365.25 days to complete one orbit around the Sun.
4. Mars: Mars is often referred to as the "Red Planet" due to its reddish appearance caused by iron oxide (rust) on its surface. It has a thin atmosphere composed mainly of carbon dioxide, with very low temperatures and extreme weather conditions. Mars is known for its polar ice caps and vast canyons, including Valles Marineris, the largest canyon in the solar system. It takes about 687 Earth days to orbit around the Sun.
To learn more about the inner planets, you can refer to books, scientific journals, reputable websites, or explore space missions such as NASA's Mars rovers or the European Space Agency's Mars missions. These sources provide a wealth of information and images gathered through observations, measurements, and exploration of these fascinating planets.