Student Research Pages - Outer Planets

Jupiter

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

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

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

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.

 

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