We are not at the center of the Universe. In fact, it would seem that we are but a minuscule part of it...one looks into the heavens and wonders...well... just wonders. Also...hope that the history of human exploration to previously unexplored regions on earth will not be repeated in our ventures to other planets and other universes.

Let us hope that our attempts to reach other planets continues to meet with failure; that they remain far beyond our vitiating reach, until we purge ourselves of hate and greed and intolerance. Then we are ready to reach out beyond our own planet.


Physical Properties of the Sun

Radius7 x 108 m or 109x the Radius of the Earth
Mass2 x 1030 kg or 333,000x the Mass of the Earth
Temperature of the Surface5,780 oK (9,900 oF)
Temperature of the Core15 million oK (27 million oF)
Composition71% hydrogen; 27% heluim; 2% heavier elements
Power Outpoot4 x 1026 watts

Physical Properties of the Planets

PlanetRadius
(Earth Units)
Radius
(km)
Mass
(Earth Units)
Mass
(kg)
Distance from Sun
(106 km)
Atmosphere
Temperature(oF)
Mercury0.3822,4390.0553.30 x 102357.9*none,
680 day; -280 night
Venus0.9496,0510.8154.87 x 1024108.2CO2 96%; N2 4%
900
Earth1.006,3781.005.97 x 1024149.6N2 78%; O2 21%; CO2 >1%
70
Mars0.5333,3970.1076.42 x 1023227.9CO2 95%; N2 3%; O2 >1%
-67
Jupiter11.1971,492317.91.9 x 1027778.3gaseous and liquid H2
no solid surface
Saturn9.4660,26895.185.69 x 10261,427gaseous and liquid H2
no solid surface
Uranus3.9825,55914.548.68 x 10252,869.6gaseous and liquid H2
no solid surface
Neptune3.8124,76417.131.02 x 10264,496.6gaseous and liquid H2
no solid surface
Pluto0.1811,1600.002161.29 x 10225,900methane
-393

*57.9 x 106 km = ? miles
Solution: 1 km = 0.6214 miles; 57.9 x 106 km X 0.6214 miles/1 km = 57.9 x 106 X 0.6214 miles = 36 x 106 miles or 3.6 x 107 miles

    Conversions Between American and Metric Units
  1. Length

    • 1km (kilometer) = 1000 meters = 0.6214 mi (miles)
    • 1m (meter) = 1.094 yards = 39.37 inches
    • 1cm (centimeter) = 0.01 meter = 0.3937 inch
    • 1um (micrometer, micron) = 10-6 meter = 3.93 X 10-5 inch
    • 1nm (nanometer) = 10-9 meter
    • 1 mile = 1.61 km
    • 1 inch = 2.54 cm
  2. Mass
    • 1 metric ton = 106 grams = 1000 kilograms (kg) = 2.21 X 103 pounds (lb)
    • 1 kg = 1000 grams(g) = 2.21 lbs
    • 1 g = 2.21 X 10-3 lb = 3.53 X 10-2 ounce (oz)
    • 1 lb = 0.45 kg
    • 1oz = 28.35 g
  3. Temperature
    • Kelvin Temperature Scale: the temperature of an object is related to its energy and the speed of its molecules; measured in o Kelvin (K). There are no negative temperatures. The freezing point of water = 273 o K; the boiling point = 373 oK
    • o C (Centigrade or Celsius) = o K - 273
    • o F (Fahrenheit) = 9/5 (o K) - 459.4
    • o C = 5/9 (o F - 32)
    • o F = (9/5 o C) + 32

Jet Propulsion Laboratory

NASA PHOTO GALLERY

The Nine Planets

BLACK HOLES