8.1: Module Introduction
“Since ’tis certain that Earth and Jupiter have their Water and Clouds, there is no reason why the other Planets should be without them. I can’t say that they are exactly of the same nature with our Water; but that they should be liquid their use requires, as their beauty does that they be clear. ”
“This Water of ours, in Jupiter or Saturn, would be frozen up instantly by reason of the vast distance of the Sun. Every Planet therefore must have its own Waters of such a temper not liable to Frost. ”
Christian Huygens– Discovered Saturn’s moon Titan in 1655
This module presents the Gas Giant Planets in our solar system: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, and their moons. We will examine characteristics of each Gas Giant planet, both similar and dissimilar characteristics.
Objectives
Upon completion of this module, the student will be able to:Upon completion of this module, the student will be able to:
- Identify the characteristics of the Gas Giant planets
- Describe the formation of rings
- Identify the primary characteristics of each Gas Giant planet
- Compare the characteristics of each Gas Giant planet is similar
- Identify the characteristics of Gas Giant satellites