Unit 8 Assignment 1
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Unit 8 Assignment 1: Our Solar System
Stephanie RodriguezJauregui
GEL111- Earth Science
Professor Walter Haines
12/15/23
Unit 8 Assignment 1: Our Solar System
Our planet Earth plays a key role in maintaining life as we know it. It is located within
our solar system, which is a vast cosmic system composed of stars, planets, and other celestial bodies. Life on Earth is enabled by the Sun, our central star. Earth orbits at a distance
of approximately 149.6 million kilometers (92.96 million miles) from the Sun. The outer and inner planets are referred to as terrestrial planets and Jovian planets, respectively, and Earth is
located between them. Providing light and heat for our planet, the Sun is the central star of our solar system. The Sun's composition and features play a significant role in supporting life on this planet. The Sun is primarily composed of hydrogen and helium, along with a small amount of heavier elements such as carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen. This element is essential for the formation and evolution of planets. To sustain life on Earth, solar radiation is the primary source of energy. Its output consists primarily of visible light but also extends to infrared and ultraviolet wavelengths. The spectrum of light we receive from the Sun is crucial for photosynthesis, which supports life on Earth based on carbon. Life on Earth depends upon the
stability and lifecycle of the Sun. To maintain a stable orbit around itself, it has the necessary mass and gravity. Furthermore, the Sun's slow nuclear fusion process ensures that it will continue to emit light and heat for billions of years, allowing life to continue on Earth.
The geocentric view, which prevailed for centuries, placed Earth at the center, with all
other celestial bodies orbiting around it
(Coyne, The Solar System). The heliocentric view, however, proposed in the 16th century by Nicolaus Copernicus, placed the Sun at the center of our solar system with the planets orbiting around it. Despite the shift in perspective, both views agreed on the existence of celestial bodies and the relative position of the Earth and other planets within the solar system. The heliocentric view provided a more accurate
Unit 8 Assignment 1: Our Solar System
description of the solar system's structure and dynamics. They also recognized that the Earth rotated on its axis, causing day and night. Rather than the Earth being stationary, it explained that the other planets and the Sun revolve around it due to gravity.
According to the nebular theory, our solar system is composed of Terrestrial and Jovian planets (Coyne, The Solar System). According to this theory, our solar system formed from a giant molecular cloud that collapsed under its gravity and gave rise to the Sun and planets. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune are massive and gaseous planets that orbit the Sun at greater distances from the Sun
(Coyne, The Solar System). As a result of gravitational interactions with the solar nebula, the Jovian planets acquired their gas-based composition through gravitational interactions with the outer regions of the protoplanetary disk, away from the intense heat and pressure. There are significant differences between terrestrial and Jovian planets in terms of characteristics and properties. Terrestrial planets, including Earth, are relatively small in size compared to Jovian planets. The only known planet with an active hydrosphere and a significant concentration of organic compounds is Earth, which has solid surfaces. As well as mountains, valleys, and volcanoes, terrestrial planets exhibit a wide range of geological characteristics. Terrestrial planets are rocky and typically have a small mass. In the solar system, they are believed to have formed near the Sun in the inner region. Terrestrial planets originated from the protoplanetary disk surrounding the Sun.
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Unit 8 Assignment 1: Our Solar System
Resources
Coyne, C. M. (n.d.). The Solar System. In Earth Science book (pp. 398–444).