Planets and smaller bodies

Objective: Explain terrestrial planet and giant planets, distinguish their meanings, and apply them to a described case.

Terrestrial planet: Terrestrial planets have rocky surfaces and are Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. Giant planets: The outer giant planets include gas giants Jupiter and Saturn and ice giants Uranus and Neptune. Solar-System classification combines orbit, shape, composition, and dynamical context. The inner planets are rocky, while the giant planets have different structures and compositions. Smaller bodies preserve information about formation and later collisions. A comet's activity increases as heating releases material, but its tail orientation is affected by solar influences rather than simply trailing its motion. Distinguish an object in space from the light produced during atmospheric entry. Application: A student groups the four inner rocky planets. This most directly illustrates terrestrial planet. A comparison distinguishes two categories of large outer planets. This most directly illustrates giant planets.

Objective: Explain dwarf planet and asteroid, distinguish their meanings, and apply them to a described case.

Dwarf planet: A dwarf planet orbits the Sun, is nearly round, and has not cleared its orbital neighborhood under the standard classification. Asteroid: An asteroid is a smaller Solar-System body, commonly rocky or metallic, orbiting the Sun. Solar-System classification combines orbit, shape, composition, and dynamical context. The inner planets are rocky, while the giant planets have different structures and compositions. Smaller bodies preserve information about formation and later collisions. A comet's activity increases as heating releases material, but its tail orientation is affected by solar influences rather than simply trailing its motion. Distinguish an object in space from the light produced during atmospheric entry. Application: Pluto is classified separately from the eight planets. This most directly illustrates dwarf planet. A rocky body follows an orbit in the main belt. This most directly illustrates asteroid.

Objective: Explain comet and meteor terminology, distinguish their meanings, and apply them to a described case.

Comet: A comet is an icy body that can develop a coma and tails when heated near the Sun. Meteor terminology: A meteoroid is a small space body, a meteor is its atmospheric light phenomenon, and a meteorite reaches the ground. Solar-System classification combines orbit, shape, composition, and dynamical context. The inner planets are rocky, while the giant planets have different structures and compositions. Smaller bodies preserve information about formation and later collisions. A comet's activity increases as heating releases material, but its tail orientation is affected by solar influences rather than simply trailing its motion. Distinguish an object in space from the light produced during atmospheric entry. Application: An icy object releases gas as it approaches the Sun. This most directly illustrates comet. A recovered space-rock fragment is called a meteorite. This most directly illustrates meteor terminology.