Astronomy: General

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terrestrial planet

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2011 | Copyright

terrestrial planet the earth or a planet that resembles the earth in its physical characteristics. The terrestrial planets in the solar system are the earth , Mercury , Venus , and Mars . These planets are approximately the same size, with the earth the largest. They are considerably denser than the Jovian planets , ranging from a specific gravity of 4 for Mars to 5.5 for the earth. Because they spin less rapidly than the Jovian planets, the terrestrial planets are less flattened at their poles.

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terrestrial planet

A Dictionary of Earth Sciences | 1999 | | Copyright

terrestrial planet (inner planet) The term used to classify the four inner, rocky Earth-like planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars) of the solar system, which, relative to the jovian (or outer) planets are smaller, have high densities, are composed of metallic (mainly iron) and silicate phases, and have low contents of gaseous elements.

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AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "terrestrial planet." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "terrestrial planet." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-terrestrialplanet.html

AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "terrestrial planet." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-terrestrialplanet.html

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terrestrial planet

A Dictionary of Astronomy | 1997 | Copyright

terrestrial planet A small, high-density planet with a solid, rocky surface. In the Solar System, the terrestrial planets are Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars.

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"terrestrial planet." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"terrestrial planet." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O80-terrestrialplanet.html

"terrestrial planet." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O80-terrestrialplanet.html

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

	Exploring Venus as a terrestrial planet.(Brief Article)(Book Review) Magazine article from: SciTech Book News; 3/1/2008
	Israelis Help Discover a New Planet; Are There Jewish Extra-Terrestrials? Newspaper article from: Israel Faxx; 11/9/1999
	TIME TO MOVE.. PLANET; EXCLUSIVE CLOSER THAN EVER TO EXTRA TERRESTRIAL... Newspaper article from: The People (London, England); 6/18/2006