Planets and moons within the solar system are different in terms of composition, geologic activity, interior structure, magnetic field, and atmospheres. We can deduce each of these properties through routine astronomical observations, spectroscopic/remote observations, laws of physics, solar system modeling as well as direct sampling. Given that many economists and government officials object to using our resources to visit other objects physically, by studying our solar system we will continue to learn about the universe, planet Earth and our ultimate destiny. Whether we continue to peer into the universe or back at Earth one day, it is essential to study other worlds!
Composition is defined as “the nature of something 's ingredients or constituents; …show more content…
Firstly though, one must first learn the volume and the mass of the unknown body, since density is the mass divided by the volume. Mass being the total amount of material in an object and volume being the amount of space that …show more content…
Iron and nickel (present in meteorites, left from the beginning creation of our solar system) along with a presence of a magnetic field in the terrestrial planets determined cores of iron and nickel. Magnetic fields may be created by the motion of liquid iron and nickel. Through system modeling and experimentation, this lead to the conclusion that the terrestrial planets are made of silicate rock surrounding a iron and nickel core. Jovian planets however, contain densities similar to the density of water with light gases visible on top. Gases and liquids such as hydrogen and helium have densities lower than water. The Jovian planets are made of gaseous and liquid hydrogen, helium and water surrounding a roughly small rocky core. An atmosphere is “layer of gases surrounding a planet or other material body, that is held in place by the gravity of that body. An atmosphere is more likely to be retained if its gravity is high and the atmosphere 's temperature is low”. Spectroscopy (along with atmospheric probes; Jupiter for example) has determined the Jovian planets contain hydrogen, helium, methane, ammonia, and water gas in their thick
Composition is defined as “the nature of something 's ingredients or constituents; …show more content…
Firstly though, one must first learn the volume and the mass of the unknown body, since density is the mass divided by the volume. Mass being the total amount of material in an object and volume being the amount of space that …show more content…
Iron and nickel (present in meteorites, left from the beginning creation of our solar system) along with a presence of a magnetic field in the terrestrial planets determined cores of iron and nickel. Magnetic fields may be created by the motion of liquid iron and nickel. Through system modeling and experimentation, this lead to the conclusion that the terrestrial planets are made of silicate rock surrounding a iron and nickel core. Jovian planets however, contain densities similar to the density of water with light gases visible on top. Gases and liquids such as hydrogen and helium have densities lower than water. The Jovian planets are made of gaseous and liquid hydrogen, helium and water surrounding a roughly small rocky core. An atmosphere is “layer of gases surrounding a planet or other material body, that is held in place by the gravity of that body. An atmosphere is more likely to be retained if its gravity is high and the atmosphere 's temperature is low”. Spectroscopy (along with atmospheric probes; Jupiter for example) has determined the Jovian planets contain hydrogen, helium, methane, ammonia, and water gas in their thick