This section contributes to our understanding of the general chemistry of the universe by providing information about the formation, evolution and sustainability of planets and their moons, and may also shed light on the search for life beyond Earth. Each planet has its own unique chemical properties. The chemical composition and mineralogy of planetary surfaces help us understand the evolutionary processes and geological features of planets. Astrophysics, combined with disciplines such as astronomy and geology, attempts to understand the mineralogical structure of different celestial bodies in the universe and the evolutionary processes of this structure. This includes surface features such as craters, mountains, valleys. This discipline is used to understand the internal structure and evolution of celestial bodies, to discover differences between planets, and to understand the mineralogical properties of planets in other star systems outside the solar system.
Technical Information:
Mercury is a planet with an average distance from the Sun of about 58 million kilometers (36 million miles). Its orbit around the Sun is quite elliptical compared to the other planets.
Its diameter is about 4,880 kilometres (3,032 mi), making it the fifth smallest planet in the Solar System, and it is also small in mass compared to the other planets.
Its surface is quite rocky and covered with various craters. Surface temperatures are quite variable, being very high on one side of the day and very low on the other.
Mercury rotates around the Sun at the same time it rotates on its axis. This creates a "3:2 resonance" that causes both surfaces of Mercury to be at different temperatures.
Mercury has a very thin atmosphere, consisting mostly of isolated atoms and dust particles. It is constantly being stripped away by the solar wind.
Chemical Information:
The chemical composition of Mercury is generally related to its surface material, which consists of rocks and metallic minerals. The major elements on the surface include silicon, oxygen, aluminum, iron, and sulfur.
Mercury is believed to have a large iron-nickel core. This metallic core is responsible for the planet's slow rotation on its axis.
Mercury has a stronger-than-expected magnetic field, likely related to the rotation of the planet's liquid iron core.
Technical Information:
Venus is the second planet from the Sun, with an average distance of about 108 million kilometres (67 million mi). Its orbit is similar to that of Earth.
Venus has a diameter of about 12,104 kilometres (7,521 mi), about the same size as Earth, and is very similar in mass.
Venus's atmosphere consists of a thick layer of carbon dioxide and its surface pressure is much higher than Earth's. It also contains clouds of sulfuric acid in its atmosphere.
Surface temperatures are typically around 465 degrees C (869 F), making it the hottest planet in the Solar System.
Venus's rotation on its axis is quite slow compared to the other planets, taking about 243 Earth days. However, its day length, one revolution around the Sun, is only 117 Earth days because it is synchronized with its rotation around its orbit.
Chemical Information:
The atmosphere of Venus consists mostly of carbon dioxide (96.5%) and nitrogen (3.5%). Other gases include water vapor, xenon, and carbon monoxide.
The surface of Venus has been shaped by volcanic activity, resulting in lava flows, mountains, and other visible features.
Venus's atmosphere contains dense clouds of sulfuric acid.
Venus's low magnetic field is weak compared to Earth's magnetic field.
Venus has a rejuvenated appearance due to volcanic activity on its surface.
Technical Information:
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun, with an average distance of about 227 million kilometres (141 million mi). Its orbit is similar to that of Earth.
Mars has a diameter of about 6,779 kilometers (4,212 miles), about half the diameter of Earth.
The surface of Mars has a variety of features, including irregular mountains, valleys, craters, and extensive sand dunes.
The atmosphere of Mars is much thinner than that of Earth and consists mostly of carbon dioxide.
Daytime temperatures typically range from 0 to 20 degrees Celsius (32 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit), while nighttime temperatures can be below zero.
Chemical Information:
The atmosphere of Mars consists mostly of carbon dioxide (95%).
The surface of Mars has a reddish color caused by iron oxides (rust). Additionally, silicate minerals, clay minerals, and basalt-like rocks are found on the surface.
The presence of water on Mars has been established by traces of frozen water and occasional liquid water on the surface.
Mars has a low magnetic field today, suggesting that it had a stronger magnetic field in the past.
Technical Information:
Jupiter is the largest planet in the Solar System, measuring approximately 139,820 kilometres (86,881 mi) in diameter.
As a vast gas giant, its atmosphere contains dense hydrogen and helium.
It has a strong magnetic field and can cause violent magnetospheric events that produce radio waves in this field.
Chemical Information:
Jupiter's atmosphere consists mostly of hydrogen (75%) and helium (24%).
Jupiter's atmosphere contains trace elements such as methane (CH4) and ammonia (NH3).
Water vapor (H2O) can also be found in Jupiter's atmosphere.
Jupiter's magnetic field causes energetic particles to be trapped in the planet's vicinity.
Technical Information:
Saturn is a planet with a diameter of approximately 116,460 kilometers (72,366 miles) and a gas giant on its surface.
Saturn's ring system is composed of ice particles, rocks, and other small materials.
Saturn's atmosphere consists of light gases such as hydrogen and helium.
Saturn has a strong magnetic field.
Chemical Information:
Saturn's atmosphere consists largely of hydrogen (96%) and helium (3%).
Organic compounds such as methane (CH4) and ethylene (C2H4) are also found in the Saturn atmosphere.
Ammonia (NH3) and water vapor (H2O) can also be found in Saturn's atmosphere.
Saturn's magnetic field causes energetic particles to be trapped in the planet's vicinity.
Saturn's rings are composed of ice, dust, and small rock particles. The composition of these materials gives the rings their different colors and reflectance properties.
Technical Information:
Uranus is a gas giant planet with a diameter of about 50,724 kilometers (31,518 mi) and an orbit that is inclined to Earth's orbit, causing it to follow a different path from the other planets.
Uranus' atmosphere is composed of gases such as hydrogen, helium, and methane. It contains blue clouds and fast winds.
Uranus has a strong magnetic field.
Chemical Information:
Uranus's atmosphere consists mostly of hydrogen (83%) and helium (15%).
Gases such as methane (CH4) and ammonia (NH3) are also found in the atmosphere of Uranus.
Technical Information:
It is a gas giant planet with a diameter of approximately 49,244 kilometres (30,598 mi) and a mass 17 times that of Earth.
Neptune's blue atmosphere is likely caused by the presence of methane gas.
Neptune has a very strong magnetic field.
Neptune's ring system is quite faint and difficult to observe.
Chemical Information:
Neptune's atmosphere consists largely of hydrogen (80%) and helium (19%).
Neptune's atmosphere contains organic compounds such as methane (CH4) and ethylene (C2H4).
Pluto was classified as a dwarf planet by the International Astronomical Union in 2006, when the planet definition was changed.
Technical Information:
Pluto is a small dwarf planet with a diameter of about 2,377 kilometers (1,477 miles).
Its orbit intersects that of Neptune.
Pluto was discovered by American astronomer Clyde Tombaugh in 1930.
Chemical Information:
Pluto's surface is composed of icy and rocky materials, including icy nitrogen, methane, and carbon monoxide.
Pluto's surface appears in shades of brown and red.
Pluto's orbit is near a region of concentrated icy objects known as the Kuiper Belt.