Consider the following statements about some planets in the solar syst

Consider the following statements about some planets in the solar system :

  • 1. Mercury has no atmosphere.
  • 2. Venus has two moons.
  • 3. There is no land on Jupiter.
  • 4. Rings of Saturn are composed of lumps of ice and dust.

Which of the statements given above are correct ?

1 and 2 only
3 and 4 only
1, 2 and 3
1, 3 and 4
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2023
The correct answer is (D). Statements 1, 3, and 4 are correct.
Let’s evaluate each statement:
1. Mercury has no atmosphere: While it has a very thin exosphere, it is often described as having “no atmosphere” in simpler terms because it lacks a significant gaseous envelope compared to other planets. This statement is considered correct in this context.
2. Venus has two moons: This is incorrect. Venus has no moons.
3. There is no land on Jupiter: This is correct. Jupiter is a gas giant without a solid surface; it’s composed primarily of hydrogen and helium, transitioning to denser states towards the core.
4. Rings of Saturn are composed of lumps of ice and dust: This is correct. Saturn’s prominent rings are made up of countless particles, predominantly water ice, ranging in size from micrometers to several meters.
Terrestrial planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars) have solid rocky surfaces, while Jovian planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune) are gas or ice giants with no defined solid surface.