ASTR 1101 Chapter : Astronomy
Document Summary
There are 8 major planets with nearly circular orbits. Dwarf planets are smaller than the major planets and some have quite elliptical orbits. Mass must be less than 13x the mass of jupiter and no nuclear fusion in its core. The body must clear its orbital path . Planets orbit counter-clockwise from an top-down view. We can learn more about a world like earth by studying it in context with other worlds in the system. Stay focused on processes common to multiple worlds instead of individual facts. Trend in inner planets; roughly same size and mainly comprised of rock and metals making them terrestrial planets. Outer planets; hydrogen & helium: gaseous bodies; may or may not have rocky cores; have ring systems; jovian planets. Patterns help us make insights about planets. Planets are very tiny compared to distances between them. Converts 4 million tons of mass into energy each second. Made of metal and rock; large iron core.
