Giant Planets of the Solar System

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the giant planets in our solar system, their atmospheres, structures, and notable features.

What are the four giant planets in our solar system?

Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.

How do the atmospheres of Jupiter and Saturn compare to those of Uranus and Neptune?

Jupiter and Saturn have hydrogen atmospheres, while Uranus and Neptune have atmospheres mainly composed of methane.

What is the Great Red Spot?

A giant storm system on Jupiter that has been observed for hundreds of years.

What are the main components of Jupiter’s and Saturn’s composition?

They are primarily composed of hydrogen and helium.

What was the purpose of the Galileo probe?

To gather measurements of Jupiter’s atmosphere.

How did the Cassini spacecraft contribute to our understanding of Saturn?

It captured images showing Earth as a dot below Saturn’s rings.

What unique cloud patterns were observed on Uranus in the Hubble Space Telescope images?

Five reddish clouds rotating around the equator, with a strong local haze at the south pole.

How does Uranus's tilt affect its seasons?

It experiences unusual seasons due to its significant tilt of 27° and its 84-year orbit.

What unique feature do Neptune's high clouds have?

They consist of bright, narrow cirrus clouds made of methane ice crystals.

What distinguishes the storms seen on Jupiter?

They are highly active and can change positions and characteristics over time.

How are wind speeds measured on the giant planets?

Wind speed is measured relative to a planet's internal rotation speed.

What is the hexagon pattern on Saturn’s North Pole?

A jet stream path visible in infrared nighttime images.

What causes the blue color of Neptune?

The scattering of sunlight in the planet's upper atmosphere.

What significant discovery was made about Jupiter’s atmosphere despite its composition?

The atmosphere is colorful, which is puzzling as it should be colorless given its composition.

What comparison is made between the wind speeds of different giant planets?

Saturn’s winds are observed to move faster than those of Jupiter, Uranus, and Neptune.