Page 101 - How It Works - Book Of Amazing Answers To Curious Questions, Volume 05-15

Space

0.1% Oth
<1% Oth 0.9% Ar

7% Oth
10% Ar
21% O
2
22% H
2
42% O
2

90% H 78% N
2 2
29% Na
Jupiter Mercury
Gas giant Jupiter is the Earth Mercury is not the

largest in our Solar System. Made up Earth is the only habitable blazing ball of fire you might
mostly of hydrogen and helium, like planet in our Solar System, thanks expect. In fact, its appearance closely
the Sun, its structure resembles that of to its unique atmosphere. It is also resembles Earth’s Moon. Its cratered
a star. Ice crystals and other elements the only planet to have liquid water surface appears greyish-brown in
help form thick bands of red, brown, on its surface, which is key to colour due to the composition of its
yellow and white clouds, which supporting life. From space you’ll rocky surface, which is impacted by
encircle the entire planet. Its famous see vast blue oceans, green and particles and solar winds.
red spot can also be seen from Earth brown land as well as thick white Temperatures fluctuate to extremes,

through telescopes. cloud cover. thanks to its thin atmosphere.

1.5% Ar
1% Oth 1% Oth
3% 3%
N N
2 2

Venus
Mars Volcanic activity
Mars is known as the has shaped the
Red Planet, so called surface of Earth’s
because of its 95% CO largest 96% CO
colouring, which is 2 neighbouring 2
caused by the high planet, Venus. Its dry,
levels of iron oxide found barren landscape is
on the surface. Although dry made up of greyish rock.
and dusty, temperatures on From space, however, you’ll
Mars are similar to those on Earth, notice thick, swirling yellow and
but the planet is also plagued by white clouds, which are made up of
powerful dust storms, a consequence sulphuric acid – a result of the planet’s
of its thin atmosphere. dense atmosphere. © Thinkstock

How It Works
101
How It Works 101