Atmosphere / Temperature
The atmosphere of each planet is very different. Mercury's atmosphere is very thin, as most of the gases are burned away by the intense heat from the sun. It's low gravity combined with this makes the atmosphere almost nonexistent. However, gases are constantly being added to the atmosphere, making it so that there is an atmosphere, though it's very, very thin. Because Mercury is so close to the sun, its temperatures are immensely high, the sun-lit side averaging around 427°C (801°F), while the dark sides averages -173°C (-297°F). Venus has the densest atmosphere of all the terrestrial planets in our solar system, about 90 times the pressure of Earth's atmosphere - so strong, it would instantly crush a person. The atmosphere is made mostly of carbon dioxide and sulfuric acid clouds, making it deadly to us as well. Because of its dense atmosphere, which retains lots of heat, Venus is actually the hottest planet in our solar system, with temperatures averaging around 464°C (867°F). Earth, as we know, has an atmosphere that sustains life, mostly made of nitrogen, though a fair amount is oxygen, providing us with what we need to breath. It also blocks most of the sun's harmful radiation, allowing more life to thrive in peace and safety. The temperature of Earth's surface does vary, growing warmer near the equator and colder near the poles, but averages around 14°C (57.2°F). Mars, like Mercury, has a thinner atmosphere, unable to trap the heat and energy from the sun inside, as it's much farther away from the sun than Earth or Venus. Because of this, its temperatures are very low, averaging from -13°C (9°F) to -77°C (-107°F).
Jupiter's atmosphere, the largest in the solar system, is full of violent clouds and raging storms, mainly composed of hydrogen and helium, though methane, ammonia, and water have been found as well. Ammonia clouds form the parallel bands of color we see when we look at Jupiter, appearing to be its surface, though it's only gases. Circles do dot those bands; those are the storms as they appear to us when we view the planet. At its core, the temperature of Jupiter can be as high as 30,000°C (54032°F). Saturn's atmosphere, like Jupiter's, is mostly hydrogen and helium, though it also has traces of methane and water. It, too, has bands, though they're pale orange and less noticeable than Jupiter's because of the large amount of sulfur in the upper atmosphere. Also like Jupiter, it has clouds of ammonia in its atmosphere that also appear to be the surface, and has incredible winds, raging at incredible speeds. Its temperature can reach up to 11,700°C (21, 000°F) at its core. Uranus' atmosphere has particles that absorb red light wavelengths, making its color blue, and, being a gas giant, has an atmosphere made mostly of hydrogen and helium. However, Uranus is one of the coldest planets, with a minimum atmospheric temperature of -224°C (-371°F). However, it has a higher proportion of ice than Jupiter and Saturn, along with Neptune; because of this, Uranus and Neptune are called "ice giants". Along with being an ice giant, Neptune , too, has an atmosphere of mostly hydrogen and helium, though, like Uranus, has a large amount of ice as well. This ice formation is mostly due to the fact that these two planets are so far from the sun. Neptune, too, appears blue because methane in its atmosphere absorbs red wavelengths. Neptune also has the fastest winds in our solar system at over 1, 000 km/h, and also has low temperatures, with an atmospheric temperature of -218°C (-360°F).
Other planets outside our solar systems have atmospheres that vary for different reasons. One reason is how close the planet is to its sun/star. If it's closer to the star, like Mercury is to our sun, the star may burn off most of the gases in the planet's solar system. However, if the planet's farther away from the star, it may be able to contain more of those gases. Another factor is the size of the planet. Larger planets, as we know, have a stronger gravitational pull; so, a larger planet will be able to hold down more of an atmosphere than a smaller planet would. Another factor is the type of materials that make up the atmosphere. Denser elements will make an atmosphere much heavier than lighter elements would. And finally, one of the most important factors is the type of planet it is: terrestrial or gas giant. These two types of planets have very different atmospheres, and all of these factors combined help us to see the differences between the atmospheres of every planet. The temperatures of the planets are based on their atmospheres and their distance from their star. If it has a denser atmosphere and is closer to the sun, then it's likely to have a hotter temperature. If it has a lighter atmosphere and is farther from the sun, it's likely that the planet will be much colder.
Other planets outside our solar systems have atmospheres that vary for different reasons. One reason is how close the planet is to its sun/star. If it's closer to the star, like Mercury is to our sun, the star may burn off most of the gases in the planet's solar system. However, if the planet's farther away from the star, it may be able to contain more of those gases. Another factor is the size of the planet. Larger planets, as we know, have a stronger gravitational pull; so, a larger planet will be able to hold down more of an atmosphere than a smaller planet would. Another factor is the type of materials that make up the atmosphere. Denser elements will make an atmosphere much heavier than lighter elements would. And finally, one of the most important factors is the type of planet it is: terrestrial or gas giant. These two types of planets have very different atmospheres, and all of these factors combined help us to see the differences between the atmospheres of every planet. The temperatures of the planets are based on their atmospheres and their distance from their star. If it has a denser atmosphere and is closer to the sun, then it's likely to have a hotter temperature. If it has a lighter atmosphere and is farther from the sun, it's likely that the planet will be much colder.