Student Research Pages - Outer Planets
Jupiter
(Used by permission of The University of Texas McDonald Observatory.)
Jupiter
- As the largest planet in the solar system, Jupiter could contain 1,300 Earths!
- Jupiter has 62 known moons.
- In October and November, Jupiter outshines everything in the night sky except the moon and Venus.
Saturn
(Used by permission of The University of Texas McDonald Observatory.)
Saturn
- Thousands of individual rings surround Saturn.
- Saturn has no solid surface to stand on!
- Saturn looks like a golden star and is easiest to see in April.
Uranus
(Used by permission of The University of Texas McDonald Observatory.)
Uranus
- Unlike the other planets, the poles of Uranus are not north and south. Instead, its poles lie east and west.
- Since it's so far from the sun and doesn't have lots of crazy explosions going on, Uranus is a very cold planet.
- Look for Uranus in late-September and early-October, but it won't be easy to find.
Neptune
(Used by permission of The University of Texas McDonald Observatory.)
Neptune
- Neptune got its name from the Roman god of the sea.
- The planet's blue-green color comes from a gas called "methane."
- Neptune is so far away that you'll need a telescope to spot it.