Dedicated to Dr. McLaughlin. 

You are our science hero.

Table of Contents

Pg. 4-5 - What is a terrestrial planet?

Pg. 6-7 - Mercury 

Pg. 8-9 - Venus

Pg. 10-11 - Mars

Pg. 12-13 - Activity 

Pg. 14 - Book Recommendation 

Pg. 15-16 - Planets in the News

Pg. 17 - References

Narrated by Sam and Jessica

What Is A Terrestrial Planet?

Terrestrial Planets are the planets located near the sun, in the "inner" solar system. These planets are very similar to Earth, they are smaller, rocky, and high-density worlds. Terrestrial planets include Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. Earth's moon is also considered a terrestrial planet even though it isn't technically a planet. 

         Terrestrial Planets

Average distance from the Sun (measured in millions of km): 

Mercury: 58                     Venus: 108

Earth: 150                        Mars: 228

All About Mercury

Mercury is the smallest planet located in our solar system, and is the closest planet to the sun. This planet orbits around the sun, and it takes around 87.97 days for Mercury to fully complete an orbit. Additionally, the orbit of this planet takes place within Earths orbit. 

Moreover, Mercury rotates on its axis three times for every two revolutions it makes around the sun. Additionally, Mercury has no moons or rings, and can be seen from Earth near the western horizon only after the sunset or before the sunrise. During this time, frame the planet appears as a bright star. 

All About Venus

Venus is the second planet from the sun in the solar system and is one of the Earth's neighbors. It cannot sustain life since it is the hottest planet in the solar system. Its atmosphere is full of carbon monoxide and has clouds of sulfuric acid. Venus has no moons and is the brightest planet in the solar system.

Venus is very similar to the Earth due to the size of the planet, but it spins in the opposite direction of the Earth and is much hotter. It is believed that Venus was once more similar to Earth and changed due to climate change. Days on Venus are much longer since it spins so slowly.

All About Mars

Mars is the fourth planet from the sun in our solar system.  It is only half the size of the Earth and is very rocky. It has a thin, active atmosphere. However, the rest of the planet is dead. One day on mars is 24.6 hours, so it rotates slightly slower than Earth. Mars has two moons called Phobos and Deimos.