SOLAR SYSTEM

THE SUN

  The sun is the Solar System`s star, and by far its chief component. Its large mass (332,900 earth masses) produces temperatures and densities in its core great enough to sustain nuclear fusion, which releases enormous amount energy, mostly radiated into space as electromagnetic radiation, peaking in the 400-700 nm band we call visible light.

The Sun (binary/octet-stream)

MERCURY

Planet Mercury 1 728 (binary/octet-stream)

Mercury has no natural satellites, and its only know geological features besides impact craters are lobed ridges or rupes, probably produced by a period of contraction early in its history. Orbital period: 87.969 days Average orbital speed: 47.87 km/s Equatorial radius: 2,439.7 km  

VENUS

Venus (binary/octet-stream)

Venus is close in size to earth and, like earth, has a thick silicate mantle around an iron core, a substancial atmosphere and evidence of internal geological activity. However, it is much drier than earth and its atmosphere is ninety timesas dense.

EARTH

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Earth is the largest and densest of the inner planets, the only one know to have current geological activity, and is the only place in the solar system where life is know to exist. It has one natural satlellite, the moon, the only large satellite of a terrestrial planet in the solar system. 

MARS

Mars (binary/octet-stream)

Mars is smaller than earth and venus. Its surface peppered with vast volcanoes such as Olympus Mons and rift valleys such as Valles Marineris, shows geological activity that may have persisted until as recently as 2 million years ago.

Jupiter (binary/octet-stream)

JUPITER

    Jupiter at 318 earth masses, is 2.5 times the mass of all the other planets put together. Jupiter has 63 known satellites. It is composed largely of hydrogen and helium. 

SATURN

Saturn (binary/octet-stream)

  Saturn distinguished by its extensive rins system, has several similarities to Jupiter, such as its atmospheric composition and magnetosphere. The rings of saturn are made up of small ice and rock particles.

URANUS

Uranus (binary/octet-stream)

  Uranus at 14 earth masses, is the lightest of the outer planets. Uniquely among the planets, it orbits the sun on its side; its axial tilt is over ninety degrees to the ecliptic.

NEPTUNE

Neptune (binary/octet-stream)

  Neptune though slightly smaller than uranus, is more massive and therefore more dense. The largest, triton, is geologically active, with geysers of liquid nitrogen. Neptune is accompanied in its orbit by a number of minor planets, termed Neptune Trojans, that are in 1:1 resonance with it.

MOON

Moon (binary/octet-stream)

  The moon its earth's only know natural satellite, and the fifth largest satellite in the solar system. The moon is the second densest satellite after Io, a satellite of jupiter. It is in synchronous rotation with earth, always showing the same face; the near side is marked with dark volcanic maria among the bright ancient crustal highlands and prominent impact craters.