GEOL 100 Chapter Notes - Chapter 19: Solar Wind
Document Summary
19. 7 geology of the outer planets and their moons. Atmosphere is a mixture of hydrogen, helium, and methane. Blue green color is caused by methane, which absorbs red light and reflects blue light. Axis of rotation, orientation of rings, and orbits of moons are perpendicular to those of every other planet in the solar system. Surface is cut by long fractures, some of which have been filled by upwelling liquid water. Considered the most bizarre world in our solar system. Highly cratered terrain that is lighter colored and older. Corona: huge oval to angular features that disrupt the cratered terrain. About the same size and similar composition as uranus. Consists of ices of nitrogen and carbon substances. One half represents activity from volcanic eruptions and active geysers. Orbits the sun in a very elliptical orbit. Sometimes brings it closer to the sun than neptune. Circuit around the sun takes 248 earth years.
