Collisions in Space Handout #1

Physical properties of the planets

Name Distance Orbital Planetary Planetary Rotation

Of from period Radius Mass period

Planet Sun (AU) (years) (R_Å) (M_Å) (days)

Mercury 0.39 0.24 0.38 0.055 59

Venus 0.72 0.62 0.95 0.82 -243

Earth 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0

Moon - - 0.27 0.012 27.3

Mars 1.52 1.9 0.53 0.11 1.0

Jupiter 5.2 11.9 11.2 318 0.41

Saturn 9.5 29.4 9.5 95 0.44

Uranus 19.2 84 4.0 15 -0.72

Neptune 30.1 164 3.9 17 0.67

(Pluto) 39.5 248 0.2 0.002 -6.4

Notes:

q An astronomical unit (AU) is defined as the average distance from the Earth to the Sun, and is equal to about 150 million km.

q The radius of the Earth is R_Å=6400km

q The mass of the Earth is M_Å=6.0´10²⁴kg