The Outer Planets The Outer Planets “Gas Giants”“Gas Giants”

AKA: Jovine PlanetsAKA: Jovine Planets

The Gas GiantsThe Gas Giants

Their mass is so huge that they have a huge Their mass is so huge that they have a huge gravitational force. Because of this their gravitational force. Because of this their atmosphere is unable to leave the planet.atmosphere is unable to leave the planet.

The result: A very thick gaseous atmosphere The result: A very thick gaseous atmosphere with pressure so strong it would crush you if you with pressure so strong it would crush you if you stepped out into it.stepped out into it.

Scientists believe that there is a solid core but it Scientists believe that there is a solid core but it has not been observed yet.has not been observed yet.

All of the gas giants have rings: Most all but All of the gas giants have rings: Most all but Neptune’s are too small to really observe.Neptune’s are too small to really observe.

JupiterJupiter

The largest planet in the solar system.The largest planet in the solar system. It is 300 times larger than earth.It is 300 times larger than earth.Main feature is the large red spot. This is Main feature is the large red spot. This is

a storm much like a hurricane that is a storm much like a hurricane that is several times larger than the earth.several times larger than the earth.

Jupiter has 63 moonsJupiter has 63 moonsTakes 12 earth years to revolve around Takes 12 earth years to revolve around

the sun once.the sun once.Temperature: Constant -150Temperature: Constant -150°C°C

Picture of JupiterPicture of Jupiter

SaturnSaturn

22ndnd largest planet in the solar system largest planet in the solar systemHas hundreds of rings around itHas hundreds of rings around itThe atmosphere also contains clouds and The atmosphere also contains clouds and

a thick atmosphere same as Jupiter a thick atmosphere same as Jupiter though its storms are not as intense.though its storms are not as intense.

Has 62 moonsHas 62 moons It takes 29 earth years to revolve around It takes 29 earth years to revolve around

the sun once.the sun once.Temperature is a constant -180Temperature is a constant -180°C°C

Picture of SaturnPicture of Saturn

UranusUranus

About four times the diameter of earth.About four times the diameter of earth. It is twice as far from the sun as Saturn.It is twice as far from the sun as Saturn. It is a bluish color due to the methane in It is a bluish color due to the methane in

the atmospherethe atmosphereUranus has 27 moonsUranus has 27 moonsTakes 84 earth years for Uranus to revolve Takes 84 earth years for Uranus to revolve

around the sun.around the sun.Temperature: A constant -250Temperature: A constant -250°C°C

Picture of Uranus (he he)Picture of Uranus (he he)

NeptuneNeptune

Neptune’s atmosphere is also blue like Neptune’s atmosphere is also blue like Uranus. However Neptune has white Uranus. However Neptune has white clouds in the atmosphere.clouds in the atmosphere.

Has 8 moonsHas 8 moons Its largest moon Triton, has its South Pole Its largest moon Triton, has its South Pole

covered in a polar ice capcovered in a polar ice capTakes 165 earth years to revolve around Takes 165 earth years to revolve around

the sun once.the sun once.Temperature: Constant -250Temperature: Constant -250°C°C

Picture of NeptunePicture of Neptune