Descriptive Astronomy 101
Solar System Overview Study Guide


After the "Solar System Overview" lecture and readings you should be able to answer and discuss the following questions.

List in order from the center outward the thirteen major objects in the Solar System.

In which direction do all of the planets revolve around the Sun?

What is the difference between revolution and rotation?

What is the plane of the ecliptic?

What is the relationship between the planets in their orbit and the plane of the ecliptic?

What are the exceptions to this relationship?

What is the actual shape of a planetary orbit?

Why are planetary orbits often described as being nearly circular?

What is the relationship between the planet's axis of rotation and the plane of the ecliptic?

What are the exceptions to this relationship?

What is the axial tilt of the Earth?

What is the general composition of the Inner Planets?

Which planets are considered to be Terrestrial Planets?

What is the general composition of the Outer Planets?

Which planets are considered to be Jovian Planets?

Which gases are commonly found in the outer planets?

Which hydrogen compounds are commonly found in the outer planets?

Which other compounds are commonly found in the outer planets?

What is meant by the term "ices" in describing the outer planets?

What is Kepler's 1st Law of Planetary Motion?

What is Kepler's 2nd Law of Planetary Motion?

What is Kepler's 3rd Law of Planetary Motion?