The Sun and Its Family

• The Sun is the center of our solar system
• The Sun is our sources of light and heat
• It has a family of 9 planets
• Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto
• Each planet is unique in its own way
• Classified as Inner and Outer Planets
• Classified as Terrestrial and Jovian Planets

The Terrestrial Planets

• Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars
• Close to the Sun
• Small and have rocky surfaces
• Few or no moons (natural satellites)
• Slow rotation (length of day)
• Thin atmosphere

The Jovian Planets

• Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune (not Pluto!)
• Far from the Sun (past Asteroid Belt)
• Large and Gaseous
• Thick atmosphere (small solid core, rest of planet is gas)
• Many moons
• All have rings
• Fast rotation (day)