Saturn: The Ringed Planet
Sunday, 11 December 2011
Saturn: The Ringed Planet
Here is some planetary data on Saturn:
It is believed that Saturn does not have a solid surface and is instead a giant ball of gas. though is does seem that Saturn has a solid inner core or iron and rocky material. The outer core probably consists of ammonia, methane, and water. A dense layer of clouds covers Saturn. There are a series of belts and zones of varied colors on the cloud tops which is caused by differences in the temperature and altitude of atmospheric gas masses. It is doubted that any form of life exists on the planet Saturn.
Jupiter: The Giant
Jupiter: The Giant
Jupiter is the fifth planet from the son and was named after the the king of the Roman Gods. Jupiter is the largest object in the solar system besides the sun. It's diameter is eleven times that of the planet earth and it would take approximately 1,000 earths to fill up its enormous volume. Even the Great Red Spot of Jupiter is more than three times the diameter of the planet earth.
Here is some general information on Jupiter:
- Diameter (miles)= 88,730
- Mass (trillion trillion lbs)= 4,187
- Density (earth=1)= .24
- Gravity (earth=1)= 2.34
- Period of Rotation (hours)= 9.8
- Escape Velocity (mph)= 133,104
- Major Atmospheric Gas= Hydrogen
- Inclination of Equator (degrees)= 3.1
- Known Moons= 16
- Mean Orbital Velocity (mph)= 29,216
- Minimum Distance From Sun= 460.3 (millions of miles)
- Maximum Distance From Sun= 507.2 (millions of miles)
- Mean Distance From Sun= 483.4 (millions of miles)
- Period of Revolution (earth years)= 11.86
Here is some detailed information on Jupiter:
Surface and Atmosphere--
Layers of dense clouds prevents the surface of Jupiter from being seen from the earth. These high-level clouds consist of frozen crystals of amonia and methane. Jupiter is considered by most astronomers to be a fluid planet which means it is primarily composed of gas, but some liquid as well. However, the planet mays have a small solid core of rocky material. A series of belts and zones can be seen on Jupiter's clouds when viewed through a telescope. The belts are dark lines that circle the planet parallel to its equator. The zones are light-colored areas between the belts. Through the years, the widths and positions of the belts change. A large, oval mark known as the Great Red Spot can be seen on Jupiter's clouds. It is about 25,000 miles long, making it more than three times the diameter of the earth, and is also 20,000 miles wide. This spot slowly changes its position from year to year. It is generally believed that the spot is an intense atmospheric disturbance similar to a hurricane. It seems to consist of violently swirling masses of gas.
Jupiter's atmosphere is composed mainly of hydrogen (84 %) and about 15% helium. There are also small traces of acetylene, ammonia, ethane, mehtane, phosphine, and water vapor. Atmospheric pressure on Jupiter has never been accurately measured. The pressure is the force exerted by the weight of the gases in the planet's atmosphere. It is estimated that the pressure at the tops of the clouds are near that of earth's (14.7 lbs per sq.in.) but the pressure below is probably much greater. Most of the thick atmosphere is composed of hydrogen gas but the deep interior may consist of highly compressed liquid nitrogen. Jupiter's core seens to be made up of iron-bearing rocks. As for the planet, it is doubtful but certain microscopic organisms may be able to live in some regions of the planet's atmosphere.
Mass and Density--
No other planet in the solar system can compare to Jupiter in mass. It is about 318 times the mass of earth, however, it is of a low density. It is slightly denser than water and about a fourth as dense of the earth. The force of gravity on Jupiter, however, is much greater than the earth's. An object weighing 100 pounds on earth would weigh about 253 pounds on Jupiter.
Satellites and Ring--
Sixteen known satellites can be found orbitting the planet Jupiter. Its four largest moons are known as Galilean satellites because they were discovered by the Italian astronomer Galileo in 1610. They all have diameters greater than 1,900 miles. Two of the moons, Ganymede and Calisto, appear to be made up of equal proportions of iced rocky material. Both are covered with many craters. Europa and Io, the other two, are made of rocky material but contain little or no ice. Jupiter's other twelve satellites have diameters ranging from 9 to 106 miles. In addition to the sixteen satellites, Jupiter also has a thin ring around it. It appears to be made of fine dust particles and is much fainter than Saturn's rings. It is more than 4,000 miles wide and about 18 miles thick.
Flights to Jupiter--
It was in the early 1970's that the first flights to Jupiter began. Pioneer 10 , a U.S. space probe was the first to fly past Jupiter. It measured Jupiter's radiation belt and reported on the amount of hydrogen and helium in the planet's atmosphere. It also discovered that Jupiter has an enormous magnetic tail which is an extension of Jupiter's Magnetosphere (zone of strong magnetic forces around the planet) and is about 500 million miles long. Another unmanned U.S. space probe, Pioneer-Saturn flew by Jupiter on December 2, 1974. It took may close-up photographs of Jupiter's polar regions and reported data on its Great Red Spot, magnetic field and temperature. The U.S. Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 provided information on Jupiter's ring and also the four largest satellites. In 1989, Galileo began a six-year journeyd to Jupiter in whcih it dropped a probe to study the planet's atmosphere beneath the clouds.
Flights to Jupiter--
It was in the early 1970's that the first flights to Jupiter began. Pioneer 10 , a U.S. space probe was the first to fly past Jupiter. It measured Jupiter's radiation belt and reported on the amount of hydrogen and helium in the planet's atmosphere. It also discovered that Jupiter has an enormous magnetic tail which is an extension of Jupiter's Magnetosphere (zone of strong magnetic forces around the planet) and is about 500 million miles long. Another unmanned U.S. space probe, Pioneer-Saturn flew by Jupiter on December 2, 1974. It took may close-up photographs of Jupiter's polar regions and reported data on its Great Red Spot, magnetic field and temperature. The U.S. Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 provided information on Jupiter's ring and also the four largest satellites. In 1989, Galileo began a six-year journeyd to Jupiter in whcih it dropped a probe to study the planet's atmosphere beneath the clouds.
Mars: The Red Planet
Mars: The Red Planet
Mars is the fourth planet from the sun and in a way it, besides the earth, is probably the planet we pay the most attention to. Scientists scramble to unlock the mystery of whether there is life on mars and the public in general has always seemed to have had an interest in the Red Planet. It was named after the Roman God of War whose Greek counterpart is Ares. The most conspicous reason for this is probably that when Mars could be viewed, its deep red color gave the image of blood. Whatever secrets lie in the Red Planet will probably be uncovered soon, for our technology grows fast and so does our curiousity.
Here is some general information on Mars:
Planetary Data
- Diameter (miles)= 4,217
- Mass (trillion trillion lbs)= 1.416
- Density (earth=1)= .71
- Gravity (earth=1)= .38
- Period of Rotation (hours)= 24.6
- Escape Velocity (mph)= 11,185
- Major Atmospheric Gas= Carbon Dioxide
- Inclination of Equator (degrees)= 25.2
- Known Moons= 2
- Mean Orbital Velocity (mph)=53,980
- Minimum Distance From Sun= 128.4 (millions of miles)
- Maximum Distance From Sun= 154.9 (millions of miles)
- Mean Distance From Sun= 141.6 (millions of miles)
- Period of Revolution (earth years)= 1.88
Here is detailed information on Mars:
Surface and Atmosphere--
Surface conditions on Mars are more similar to earth than any other planet in the solar system. However, earth's plants and animals would not survive on Mars. This is because surface temperature on Mars is much lower than that of the earth, hardly ever rising above the freezing point of water. There is evidence that Mars used to have large amounts of water on it millions of years ago, but almost none exists today. But, there is probably frozen water in Mars' polar ice caps or beneath its surface. Mars' atmosphere contains only a slight amount of oxygen, but many scientists believe that some form of life may exist on Mars even though none has been found yet. There are several outstanding features noticeable on Mars' surface- polar caps, bright areas and dark areas. Numerous craters are present, caused by meteors crashing into the surface. Other features like canyons, gorges and what appear to be dry riverbeds have be photographed by unmanned space probes. This supports the possibility of there once having been large quantities of water flowing on the planet's surface. Mars also has volcanoes, particularly in one region near its equator. The highest volcano on Mars is twice as high as Mount Everest. Near this volcano is a huge canyon that may be a fault line.
The bright areas on Mars are reddish-brown in color and cover nearly two-thirds of the planet's surface. They are sort of like our deserts in that they are dry and covered by dust, sand and rocks. Most of the surface contains limonite , a brick colored mineral that can be vound in some of earth's desert.
The dark areas on Mars cover the other one-third of the planet. They generally appear greenish-gray or bluish-gray and form irregular patterns on the surface. These regions are called maria (seas) even though they don't contain measureable amounts of water. Throughout the year the size and color of those dark areas changes and sometimes disappear. Most astronomers believe this is due to blowing sand and dust that covers them.
Located at the planet's north and south poles are the polar caps. They appear white from the earth and probably contain larege amounts of frozen water. These caps seen to evaporate and become smaller when it is tilted toward the sun and freeze and grow when it is tilted away from the sun. The evaporation of these caps may provide some of the water vapor found in Mars' atmosphere.
Mars' atmosphere is much thinner than that surrounding the earth. It is composed mainly carbon dioxide with small amounts of nitrogen, argon, oxygen, carbon monoxide, neon, krypton and xenon. There are also tiny traces of water vapor, probably from the evaporation of the polar caps. Mars' atmospheric pressure is about 0.1 pounds per sq.in. Three types of clouds can be seen in the Martian atmosphere: Pink clouds of dust which cover much of the planet; blue clouds of ice crystals and thick white clouds which are thought to consist of water vapor.
Density and Mass--
Mars is about four-fifths as dense as the earth but its mass in only about one-tenth that of the earth. Thus, its force of gravity is only about three-eighths that of the earth. A 100 pound object on earth would weigh about 38 pounds on Mars.
Satellites--
Mars has two small moons that travel around it. The closest one, Phobos, is also the largest of the two. It has a diameter of about fourteen miles at the equator and about eleven miles from pole to pole. It makes its revolution around Mars in about seven and a half hours. The smaller satellite, Deimos, has a diameter of about six miles and makes its journey around Mars in thirty hours. Asaph Hall, an American astronomer, discovered both the satellites in 1877.
Flights to Mars--
In 1965, the unmanned U.S. spacecraft Mariner 4 flew about 6,118 miles from Mars. Four years later, Mariner 6 and Mariner 7 flew even closer to it. Mariner 9 orbited Mars in 1971 and 1972 where it photographed both satellites, a dust storm on the planet and various surface details. Mars 3 , a So viet probe, also orbited the planet in 1971 and released a capsule that made a soft landing on the planet's surface. However, the capsule transmitted information for only twenty seconds when it unexpectedly fell silent. Photographs sent to the earth by Mariner 4 and Mariner 9 revealed various meteor craters on the planet's surface. These craters had never been seen in observations by astronomers from the earth. It was also found that Mars had no measureable magnetic field.
Later, on July 20, 1976, the U.S. Viking 1 landed on Mars in desertlike region near the planet's equator. The same year Viking 2 landed farther north and transmitted high-quality, close-up photographs of the surface. Both probes also analyzed Mars' atmosphere and soil to seek signs of life. Yet, in spite of these experiments, scientists are still relatively unable to determine whether lfe exists on the Red Planet.
The bright areas on Mars are reddish-brown in color and cover nearly two-thirds of the planet's surface. They are sort of like our deserts in that they are dry and covered by dust, sand and rocks. Most of the surface contains limonite , a brick colored mineral that can be vound in some of earth's desert.
The dark areas on Mars cover the other one-third of the planet. They generally appear greenish-gray or bluish-gray and form irregular patterns on the surface. These regions are called maria (seas) even though they don't contain measureable amounts of water. Throughout the year the size and color of those dark areas changes and sometimes disappear. Most astronomers believe this is due to blowing sand and dust that covers them.
Located at the planet's north and south poles are the polar caps. They appear white from the earth and probably contain larege amounts of frozen water. These caps seen to evaporate and become smaller when it is tilted toward the sun and freeze and grow when it is tilted away from the sun. The evaporation of these caps may provide some of the water vapor found in Mars' atmosphere.
Mars' atmosphere is much thinner than that surrounding the earth. It is composed mainly carbon dioxide with small amounts of nitrogen, argon, oxygen, carbon monoxide, neon, krypton and xenon. There are also tiny traces of water vapor, probably from the evaporation of the polar caps. Mars' atmospheric pressure is about 0.1 pounds per sq.in. Three types of clouds can be seen in the Martian atmosphere: Pink clouds of dust which cover much of the planet; blue clouds of ice crystals and thick white clouds which are thought to consist of water vapor.
Density and Mass--
Mars is about four-fifths as dense as the earth but its mass in only about one-tenth that of the earth. Thus, its force of gravity is only about three-eighths that of the earth. A 100 pound object on earth would weigh about 38 pounds on Mars.
Satellites--
Mars has two small moons that travel around it. The closest one, Phobos, is also the largest of the two. It has a diameter of about fourteen miles at the equator and about eleven miles from pole to pole. It makes its revolution around Mars in about seven and a half hours. The smaller satellite, Deimos, has a diameter of about six miles and makes its journey around Mars in thirty hours. Asaph Hall, an American astronomer, discovered both the satellites in 1877.
Flights to Mars--
In 1965, the unmanned U.S. spacecraft Mariner 4 flew about 6,118 miles from Mars. Four years later, Mariner 6 and Mariner 7 flew even closer to it. Mariner 9 orbited Mars in 1971 and 1972 where it photographed both satellites, a dust storm on the planet and various surface details. Mars 3 , a So viet probe, also orbited the planet in 1971 and released a capsule that made a soft landing on the planet's surface. However, the capsule transmitted information for only twenty seconds when it unexpectedly fell silent. Photographs sent to the earth by Mariner 4 and Mariner 9 revealed various meteor craters on the planet's surface. These craters had never been seen in observations by astronomers from the earth. It was also found that Mars had no measureable magnetic field.
Later, on July 20, 1976, the U.S. Viking 1 landed on Mars in desertlike region near the planet's equator. The same year Viking 2 landed farther north and transmitted high-quality, close-up photographs of the surface. Both probes also analyzed Mars' atmosphere and soil to seek signs of life. Yet, in spite of these experiments, scientists are still relatively unable to determine whether lfe exists on the Red Planet.
Later, on July 20, 1976, the U.S. Viking 1 landed on Mars in desertlike region near the planet's equator. The same year Viking 2 landed farther north and transmitted high-quality, close-up photographs of the surface. Both probes also analyzed Mars' atmosphere and soil to seek signs of life. Yet, in spite of these experiments, scientists are still relatively unable to determine whether lfe exists on the Red Planet.
Earth: The Mother Planet
Earth: The Mother Planet
The planet Earth is the most special planet in the solar system to ourselves, for it is our home. It has often be referred to as Gaia (Mother) and is truly deserving of the name because the Earth houses countless numbers of lifeforms. No other planet in the solar system seems to have that characteristic. So much is known about our planet but little can really be understood of the complexities of our world. The earth is the third planet from the sun which puts it in the perfect place to support life. Any closer to the sun and it would be too hot; and any farther would be too cold. This page on Earth will be kept down to only general planetary information and will not get overly detailed on every aspect of earth.
Here is some general information on Earth:
- Diameter (miles)= 7,926
- Mass (trillion trillion lbs)= 13.177
- Density (earth=1)= 1
- Gravity (earth=1)= 1
- Period of Rotation (hours)= 23.9
- Escape Velocity (mph)= 25,055
- Major Atmospheric Gas= Nitrogen
- Inclination of Equator (degrees)= 23.5
- Known Moons= 1
- Mean Orbital Velocity (mph)= 66,641
- Minimum Distance From Sun= 91.4 (millions of miles)
- Maximum Distance From Sun= 94.5 (millions of miles)
- Mean Distance From Sun= 93 (millions of miles)
- Period of Revolution (earth years)= 1
Here is detailed information on Earth:
Surface and Atmosphere--
As many perople already know, the earth is about 70% water which is mostly ocean and has an average depth of 12,450 feet. The oceans, lakes and rivers make up what is known as the hydrosphere which animals and plants need to live. Land makes up the other 30% and the largest bodies of land are called continents. The earth, like other planets some other planets in the solar system has poles at either end. All the continents and ocean basins are part of the earth's crust which varies from five to twenty miles thick. Air surrounds the earth and extends as far as 1,000 miles above the surface. The earth's atmosphere is made up of 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen. Small amounts of other gases (less than 1%) are also present. Also present in the air are water particles and dust particles. In the lowest part of the earth's atmosphere, the troposphere, are clouds. The farther away air is from the surface, the thinner it gets until it gradually fades into space.
Within the earth--
Under the earth's crust is a ball of hot rock and metal. This "ball" is divided into three sections: mantle, outer core, inner core The mantle lies just below the crust and extends downward for about 1,800 miles. The rock that makes up this part of the mantle consists of silicon, oxygen, aluminum, iron and magnesium. The upper part of the mantle can reach a temperature of about 1,600 degrees Fareheit. As you go deeper the temperature can hit 4,000 degrees. At this point the mantle meets the outer core.
The outer core is believed to be about 1,400 miles thick and is made of melted iron and nickel. The temperature ranges from 4,000 to 9,000 degrees Farenheit.
Making up the center of the earth is the ball-shaped inner core. It lies about 3,200 miles below the surface. The center of the inner core lies another 800 miles past that. It is believed that the inner core is made of solid iron and nickel with the temperature reaching 9,000 degrees Farenheit.
- Diameter (miles)= 7,926
- Mass (trillion trillion lbs)= 13.177
- Density (earth=1)= 1
- Gravity (earth=1)= 1
- Period of Rotation (hours)= 23.9
- Escape Velocity (mph)= 25,055
- Major Atmospheric Gas= Nitrogen
- Inclination of Equator (degrees)= 23.5
- Known Moons= 1
- Mean Orbital Velocity (mph)= 66,641
- Minimum Distance From Sun= 91.4 (millions of miles)
- Maximum Distance From Sun= 94.5 (millions of miles)
- Mean Distance From Sun= 93 (millions of miles)
- Period of Revolution (earth years)= 1
Here is detailed information on Earth:
Surface and Atmosphere--
As many perople already know, the earth is about 70% water which is mostly ocean and has an average depth of 12,450 feet. The oceans, lakes and rivers make up what is known as the hydrosphere which animals and plants need to live. Land makes up the other 30% and the largest bodies of land are called continents. The earth, like other planets some other planets in the solar system has poles at either end. All the continents and ocean basins are part of the earth's crust which varies from five to twenty miles thick. Air surrounds the earth and extends as far as 1,000 miles above the surface. The earth's atmosphere is made up of 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen. Small amounts of other gases (less than 1%) are also present. Also present in the air are water particles and dust particles. In the lowest part of the earth's atmosphere, the troposphere, are clouds. The farther away air is from the surface, the thinner it gets until it gradually fades into space.
Within the earth--
Under the earth's crust is a ball of hot rock and metal. This "ball" is divided into three sections: mantle, outer core, inner core The mantle lies just below the crust and extends downward for about 1,800 miles. The rock that makes up this part of the mantle consists of silicon, oxygen, aluminum, iron and magnesium. The upper part of the mantle can reach a temperature of about 1,600 degrees Fareheit. As you go deeper the temperature can hit 4,000 degrees. At this point the mantle meets the outer core.
The outer core is believed to be about 1,400 miles thick and is made of melted iron and nickel. The temperature ranges from 4,000 to 9,000 degrees Farenheit.
Making up the center of the earth is the ball-shaped inner core. It lies about 3,200 miles below the surface. The center of the inner core lies another 800 miles past that. It is believed that the inner core is made of solid iron and nickel with the temperature reaching 9,000 degrees Farenheit.
The outer core is believed to be about 1,400 miles thick and is made of melted iron and nickel. The temperature ranges from 4,000 to 9,000 degrees Farenheit.
Making up the center of the earth is the ball-shaped inner core. It lies about 3,200 miles below the surface. The center of the inner core lies another 800 miles past that. It is believed that the inner core is made of solid iron and nickel with the temperature reaching 9,000 degrees Farenheit.
Venus: Earth's Twin
Venus: Earth's Twin
Venus is the second planet from the sun and a close neighbor to the earth. It was named after the Roman Goddess of Beauty. Venus is usually one the brightest objects in the sky, which might be the reason it got its name. It is quite similar to the planet earth mainly in its size and a few other characteristics which is why it is often considered the Earth's twin. However, surface conditions are not nearly the same making it a quite inhospitable environment.
Here is some general information on Venus:
- Diameter (miles)= 7,521
- Mass (trillion trillion lbs)= 10.738
- Density (earth=1)= .95
- Gravity (earth=1)= .88
- Period of Rotation (hours)= 5,832.2
- Escape Velocity (mph)= 23,042
- Major Atmospheric Gas= Carbon Dioxide
- Inclination of Equator (degrees)= 2.6
- Known Moons= 0
- Mean Orbital Velocity (mph)= 78,364
- Minimum Distance From Sun= 66.8 (millions of miles)
- Maximum Distance From Sun= 67.7 (millions of miles)
- Mean Distance From Sun= 67.2 (millions of miles)
- Period of Revolution (earth years)= .63
Detailed information on Venus:
Venus' Phases--
Upon viewing Venus from a telescope, Venus can be seen going through "changes" in shape and size. Theses "changes" are actually called phases and are very similar to those that the moon goes through. This is a result on different parts of Venus' sunlit area being visible at different times. Venus can be seen on the opposite side of the sun about every 584 days as it and the earth make their orbits. Almost all the sunlit area can be seen at this point. As it continues its voyage around the sun, less of the sunlit area can be seen, but its size seems to increase. After about 221 days only half the planet is still visible. Then, 71 days later, only a thin sunlit area can be seen because Venus is now on the same side as the earth. As Venus moves away from the earth, it can be seen in the early evening sky. When it approaches the earth, it can be seen in the early morning sky.
Surface and Atmosphere--
While Venus may be known as "earth's twin" because of its size, it surface conditions are quite unsimilar from earth. It has been very difficult to learn about Venus because the planet is always surrounded by thick clouds of sulfur and sulfuric acid. This is probably due to active volcanoes on the planet. Like Mercury, the surface of Venus is extremely hot and dry. However, surface features like mountains, canyons, valleys and flat plains have been detected. Two of its mountain regions are the size of entire continents on earth. There is no water on Venus' surface because the high temperatures would simply make the water boil away. Of all the planets in the solar system, Venus has the heaviest atmosphere. The atmospheric pressure is estimated at 1,323 lbs. per sq.in as compared to earth's 14.7 lbs. per sq.in. It consists primarily of carbon dioxide but also has small amounts of of nitrogen and water vapor. There are minute traces of argon, carbon monoxide, neon and sulfur dioxide. Scientists believe that plants and animals that are found on earth could not exist on Venus because of the high temperature and insufficient oxygen. It is not known whether other forms of life exist there, but it is highly doubted.
Mass and Density--
Venus' mass is about four fifths that of earth and its force of gravity is also only slightly less than the earth's. For example: If an object weighed 100 pounds on earth it would weigh about 88 pounds of Venus. Venus's density is rather close to that of the earth as well, but is still slightly less. So, if you took a chuck of equal size out of the earth and Venus, Venus' piece would weigh a little less.
Space Flights to Venus--
On December 14, 1962, Venus became the first planet to be observed by a passing space craft. The U.S. Mariner 2 , an unmanned spacecraft, pass within 21, 600 miles of Venus after traveling through space for more than three and a half months. It conducted various measurements of conditions on and near the planet. In 1966, two unmanned Soviet spacecraft explored Venus, but one crashed into the planet. The next year, both an American and Soviet spacecraft reached Venus. Both reported large amounts of carbon dioxide in the planet's atmosphere. Mariner 10 flew by Venus on February 5 and reported that Venus had no magnetic field. Venera 9 , an unmanned Soviet craft landed on Venus and provided the first close-up photograph of the planet's surface. Three days later, the Venera 10 photographed Venus' surface and measured its atmospheric pressure. In December of 1978 four unmanned spacecraft reached Venus. The U.S. Pioneer Venus 1 began orbiting the planet and transmitted radar photographs. The second U.S. space craft, Pioneer Venus 2 studied Venus' density and chemical composition. The two Soviet crafts, Venera 12 and Venera 11 sent back data on the lower atmosphere of Venus. In May of 1989, the U.S. spacecraft Magellan was sent to Venus on a mission of mapping the planet with radar.
Surface and Atmosphere--
While Venus may be known as "earth's twin" because of its size, it surface conditions are quite unsimilar from earth. It has been very difficult to learn about Venus because the planet is always surrounded by thick clouds of sulfur and sulfuric acid. This is probably due to active volcanoes on the planet. Like Mercury, the surface of Venus is extremely hot and dry. However, surface features like mountains, canyons, valleys and flat plains have been detected. Two of its mountain regions are the size of entire continents on earth. There is no water on Venus' surface because the high temperatures would simply make the water boil away. Of all the planets in the solar system, Venus has the heaviest atmosphere. The atmospheric pressure is estimated at 1,323 lbs. per sq.in as compared to earth's 14.7 lbs. per sq.in. It consists primarily of carbon dioxide but also has small amounts of of nitrogen and water vapor. There are minute traces of argon, carbon monoxide, neon and sulfur dioxide. Scientists believe that plants and animals that are found on earth could not exist on Venus because of the high temperature and insufficient oxygen. It is not known whether other forms of life exist there, but it is highly doubted.
Mass and Density--
Venus' mass is about four fifths that of earth and its force of gravity is also only slightly less than the earth's. For example: If an object weighed 100 pounds on earth it would weigh about 88 pounds of Venus. Venus's density is rather close to that of the earth as well, but is still slightly less. So, if you took a chuck of equal size out of the earth and Venus, Venus' piece would weigh a little less.
Space Flights to Venus--
On December 14, 1962, Venus became the first planet to be observed by a passing space craft. The U.S. Mariner 2 , an unmanned spacecraft, pass within 21, 600 miles of Venus after traveling through space for more than three and a half months. It conducted various measurements of conditions on and near the planet. In 1966, two unmanned Soviet spacecraft explored Venus, but one crashed into the planet. The next year, both an American and Soviet spacecraft reached Venus. Both reported large amounts of carbon dioxide in the planet's atmosphere. Mariner 10 flew by Venus on February 5 and reported that Venus had no magnetic field. Venera 9 , an unmanned Soviet craft landed on Venus and provided the first close-up photograph of the planet's surface. Three days later, the Venera 10 photographed Venus' surface and measured its atmospheric pressure. In December of 1978 four unmanned spacecraft reached Venus. The U.S. Pioneer Venus 1 began orbiting the planet and transmitted radar photographs. The second U.S. space craft, Pioneer Venus 2 studied Venus' density and chemical composition. The two Soviet crafts, Venera 12 and Venera 11 sent back data on the lower atmosphere of Venus. In May of 1989, the U.S. spacecraft Magellan was sent to Venus on a mission of mapping the planet with radar.
SPACE TECHNOLOGY
Exploring the unknown has always been a fascinating venture for mankind. For centuries man has held dreams of reaching the heavens above. Today with the help of government organizations such as NASA humans are able to extend their grasp into the realms of space. On this page you will find information on the development of technology in space from the past, present, and in the future.
Choices
- Where it all began
- Early ideas about space, the foundation of NASA, the space race between Russia and America, and more.
- What it is now
- Current information on what America's space programs are doing.
- Where it will be in the Future
- Ideas of what is to come. . .
THE BIG BANG
There are many unusual occurrences in space that mankind constantly seeks to gain knowledge about in an effort to learn about what is beyond our world. From black holes to white dwarfs, the number of unusual events and phenomenon astounds the mind. Unfortunately, for many of these space phenomenon , we have little proven information and can only hypothesize and theorize on what may really be. However, one thing is for sure-- The truth is out there-- and one day we may truly understand.
The Big Bang
How did the universe begin? There have been several cosmological observations and theories attempting to answer this question. Of these, the BIG BANG theory provides the most generally accepted explanation.
According to this theory, a large explosion aboutn ten to twenty billion years ago created the universe. As a result of the explosion, the universe became composed chiefly of radiation. Soon, the radiation formed a rapidly expanding area called the primordial fireball The main part of the fireball became matter, mainly hydrogen, after a few hundred years. In addition to the hydrogen were small amounts of helium and other light elements. The matter continued to decrease in density after the explosion. Supposedly, the matter broke apart into large clumps that formed galaxies. Within the galaxies, smaller clumps formed stars. Parts of these clumps would become solar systems.
Galaxies are currently still moving away from each other and it is probable it will remain this way until the end of time. But, it the possibility that the galaxies may collide in approximately seventy million years and explode again should not be ruled out.
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