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| Classification of
the Solar System |
Classification by Size
- There are the small planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars and Pluto. These planets have diameters less than 13000
kilometers. Mercury and Pluto are sometimes referred to as lesser
planets (not to be confused with minor planets which is the official
term for asteroids).
- There are also the giant planets: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. The giant planets have diameters greater
than 48000 kilometers. These planets are sometimes also called the
gas giants.
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Classification by composition
- There are terrestrial, or rocky planets, the ones made up mostly of
rock and metal. These planets are Mercury,
Venus,
Earth
and Mars.
The terrestrial planets are have relatively high densities, slow
rotation, solid surfaces, no rings and few satellites.
- Then there are the jovian or gas planets. These planets are Jupiter,
Saturn,
Uranus
and Neptune.
The gas planets are made up mostly of hydrogen and helium. They and
usually have low densities, rapid rotation, deep atmospheres, rings and
lots of satellites.
- Pluto
is an exception as it thought to be made up of a mixture of rocks and
several kinds of "ices". Scientists believe that most of these ices are
that frozen gases and liquids such as methane and ammonia.
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Historical
Classification
- There are the classical planets: Mercury,
Venus,
Mars,
Jupiter,
and Saturn. These planets have been known since prehistorical times.
They can all been seen from Earth without the use of binoculars or
telescopes.
- There are also the modern planets: Uranus,
Neptune,
Pluto.
These have been discovered since the invention of telescopes since they
are only visible with telescopes.
- There is also Earth.
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Resources Used
Astronomy for Kids
www.dustbunny.com/afk/
Small Worlds David Drew: Nelson, 1989
The Gas Giants David Drew: Nelson, 1989
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