Terrestrial Planets
Near to the sun. (< 5 astronomical units)
- Reminder of what an astronomical unit is….
Small and Rocky. (From 0.1 to 1 Me)
- High density (volume/mass) (3-5x the density of water).
- How do we measure the density?
- Crust mainly composed of Silicon and Oxygen (Silicates) with small fraction of Sulfates.
- Exception: Earth has higher percentage of carbonates in its rocks.
- Cores of Nickel and Iron