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Chapter 7: A Planetary Overview
Solar System Objects
The solar system is made up of many different and fascinating objects. Visit this site to investigate a selected few of those objects in greater detail.
Check the Frequently Asked Questions and answer at least one such question for each of the planets. Click on the link for "Home" on this page for a fascinating exploration of the solar system through articles and images.
Visit the The Solar System Objects web site
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Planetary Motion
Different planets are in our night sky depending upon their orbital locations relative to Earth's location.
The default view shows the planets' distances on a logarithmic scale. Click on "Real" (under "Orbits") and then "Update" to see actual relative distances. 1) Why do you think the logarithmic scale is used? (You might have to switch back and forth to decide.) 2) Which planets are in the midnight sky tonight? (You can switch to "images" if you don't know the icon symbols.)
Visit the The Solar System Live web site
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Planetary System Evolution
The Hubble Space Telescope has provided views of newly forming planetary systems.
Answer the following questions: 1) What are proplyds? 2) What are the brownish objects in the image? (Hint: Read carefully.)
Visit the APOD, September 11, 1995 - Proplyds: Infant Solar Systems web site
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Planets Around Other Stars
Evidence is accumulating that planetary systems are common in the Galaxy.
Use this site to answer the following questions: 1) Name three stars--other than the Sun--that have a planet around them. 2) How does the mass of each of those planets compare to the mass of Jupiter? 3) Describe the evidence that these findings are based on.
Visit the The Extrasolar Planets Encyclopedia web site
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