Practically it is no secret that the sun revolves around the set of celestial bodies, which, in addition to the planets and their satellites include comets, asteroids and other particles.Modern scientists have managed to not only observe them through telescopes and other devices, but even to carry out studies of samples obtained through the use of probes.All this now makes it safe to answer many questions about the closest planet to the Sun, their satellites and other celestial bodies.
General description of the planets of the solar system
In total, as part of our solar system has nine planets.Each of them has its own astronomical and structural characteristics.Similar to Earth, they all revolve not only around its own axis, but around a common celestial object.The closest planet to the Sun - it is Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars.They are also called "terrestrial planets".Their common properties are relatively small in size, prevalence of solid elements in the structure, the absence of the rings, as well as a small number of satellites.After them come the planet Jupiter, the group to which he belongs, Jupiter and Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.They are characterized by a fairly dense atmosphere, as well as lightweight components surrounding the kernel.Around each of them exist ring consisting of crushed materials, and rotate multiple satellites.As for Pluto, he is always in the dark, and some scientists do not consider it a planet.
Mercury
Almost every schoolchild knows about what the closest planet to the sun.This Mercury.According to its size of all the representatives of the system he is in eighth place.An interesting fact is that the satellites of Jupiter and Saturn (Titan and Ganymede, respectively) are larger in size.Mercury's diameter is 4880 kilometers, and its orbit is at a distance, which is equivalent to almost 58 million kilometers from the sun.In the history of this planet I flew only one ship ("Mariner-10" in 1974-1975), so now there is information only about 45 percent of its surface.According to research scientists, temperature fluctuations are in the range of 90 to 700 approx.
The closest planet to the Sun is somewhat similar to the Moon.The fact that it lacks a tectonic plate, and on the surface there is a large number of craters and huge chasms.According to this parameter, the density of the Mercury system is second only to the Earth.The magnetic field at the planet weak.Its capacity compared to Earth is a hundred times smaller.Mercury has no satellites, and it can be seen even with the naked eye.
Venus the second planet, as measured by its distance from the Sun is Venus.In the case where the basis of a criterion such as the magnitude, it is at the sixth position.Its diameter is more than 12 thousand kilometers, and extends into the orbit 108 million kilometers from the sun.The first spacecraft that flew to Venus, began in 1962, "Mariner-2".
Compared to Earth Venus rotates very slowly.In connection with the timing of its orbit and rotation period, always turned to us only one side of the planet.It is often called the Venus "Earth's sister planet" due to their great similarity.And the truth is, its diameter is between 95% of our planet, and weight - 80%.Quite similar they are also the density and chemical composition.At the same time it should be noted that in many settings there are radical differences.There is every reason to believe that once Venus was a large amount of water, which eventually boiled away, so now it is completely dry.Planet has no magnetic field (due to the slow rotation), and satellites.You can see it with the naked eye, because in our sky, it is the brightest "star".
Earth
third in the Sun is the Earth.Its diameter is 12 756.3 km, and the orbit passes at a distance of 149.6 million km away from the heavenly body.Like other planets closest to the Sun, it has a history which stretches back about 5.5 billion years.The Earth system is the most dense celestial body.Water covers 71% of its area.An interesting feature is that it is only exists in liquid form on the surface.Scientists suggest that this is largely linked to the stability of the temperature of the planet.The only natural satellite of the Earth is the Moon.Besides her, the orbit was derived many artificial bodies.
Mars
fourth place in the degree of separation from the Sun and the seventh largest position is Mars.Its orbit is at a distance of nearly 228 million km from the celestial body, and the diameter is equal to 6794 km.The first ship, which flew to it, was the "Mariner 4" in 1965.Like the rest of the planet closest to the Sun, Mars boasts quite original and interesting terrain.Here there are many craters, ridges, hills and planes.The average temperature on Mars is about minus 55 degrees.See it possible with the naked eye.With regard to the satellite, then the two of them on this planet: Phobos and Deimos, which orbit far from the surface.
