How does the history of Earth's climate compare to that of its neighbors in space, Venus and Mars? Why does Saturn's moon Titan have a thick atmosphere when no other moon in the Solar System does, and how does its climate compare to our own? Wind, water, volcanism, and cratering are the main forces that shape planetary surfaces in our Solar System. The first two require an atmosphere, and the effect they have depends on the overall character of the atmosphere (or climate).
The Ask An Expert lecture series at the National Mall building is presented every Wednesday at noon. A Museum staff member talks to the public about the history, collection, or personalities related to a specific artifact or exhibition in the Museum.
The gallery displays myriad pictures of the planets and their moons taken by numerous spacecraft. This montage of images includes (from top to bottom) Mercury, Venus, Earth and the Moon, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.