Fun Facts About Our Planets
There will be many things to see in the night sky. Unfortunately, it‘s nearly impossible to describe them with out pictures. You will have to go to the library and get a few books on locating the wonders above our heads.
One thing I can do for you is to provide you with some fun facts about our solar system. Let’s find out how long a year is by reading the list below. On one planet your birthday would arrive every 88 days!!! On another planet you would not live to see your first birthday!
Mercury
- Orbits the Sun in 88 Days. That’s a pretty short year!
- On the other hand each Mercury day is equal to 59 Earth days. This is because it takes 59 days for Mercury to rotate on it’s own axis.
Venus
- Orbits the Sun in 224 Days.
- Each Venus day is equal to 243 Earth days. This is because it takes 243 days for Mercury to rotate on it’s own axis.
Earth
- Orbits the Sun in 365 Days.
- Turns on it’s own axis every 24 hours. Actually it takes about 23 hours and 56 minutes to turn on it’s axis.
Mars
- Orbits the Sun in 687 Days.
- Turns on it’s own axis every 24 hours and 37 minutes.
Jupiter
- Orbits the Sun in 11.9 Earth Years. Now that is a LONG Jupiter year.
- Turns on it’s own axis every 9 hours and 50 minutes. The days are short but the years are sooo long.
Saturn
- Orbits the Sun in 29.5 Earth Years.
- Turns on it’s own axis every 10 hours and 14 minutes.
Uranus
- Orbits the Sun in 84 Earth Years.
- Turns on it’s own axis every 15 hours and 14 minutes.
Neptune
- Orbits the Sun in 164.8 Earth Years. This is the planet in which you would never see your first birthday.
- Turns on it’s own axis every 16 hours and 3 minutes.
Pluto
- Orbits the Sun in 248.6 Earth Years.
- Turns on it’s own axis every 6 days and 9 minutes. On this planet time practically stands still!
Now it’s your turn. Have your children come up with some fun facts about the planets. There are many interesting things. For instance, it’s so hot on Venus, the temperatures could melt lead. Venus is also surrounded by clouds of sulphuric acid and its atmosphere is carbon dioxide!
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