The Outer Planets

A collection of vocabulary flashcards focused on key concepts related to the outer planets.

Gas giants

The first four outer planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune) that are larger and more massive than Earth and do not have solid surfaces.

Great Red Spot

A well-known feature on Jupiter, the Great Red Spot is a storm larger than Earth with swirling winds.

Saturn's Rings

Broad and thin discs of ice and rock particles orbiting Saturn, known for being the most spectacular rings of any planet.

Uranus's Rotation

Uranus rotates in about 17 hours, with its axis tilted at an angle of about 90 degrees.

Neptune's Great Dark Spot

A storm on Neptune that was visible for a short time, similar to Jupiter's Great Red Spot, but did not last long.

Titan

Saturn's largest moon, which is larger than the planet Mercury.

Moons of Jupiter

Jupiter has four large moons (Io, Europa, Ganymede, Callisto) that are all larger than Earth's moon.

Atmosphere Composition of Gas Giants

Gas giants like Jupiter and Saturn are primarily composed of hydrogen and helium.

Surface Features of Uranus' Moons

Uranus's five largest moons feature icy, cratered surfaces with evidence of past volcanic activity.

Triton

The largest moon of Neptune, characterized by a thin atmosphere and nitrogen ice near its south pole.