Jääjättiläinen

Jääjättiläinen is a Finnish term that translates to "ice giant" and refers to a class of planets in astronomy. These planets are distinct from gas giants, like Jupiter and Saturn, and terrestrial planets, like Earth and Mars. Jääjättiläiset are believed to be composed primarily of volatile elements such as oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur, often in the form of ice. This differentiates them from gas giants, which are dominated by hydrogen and helium.

Astronomers hypothesize that jääjättiläiset form further out in a planetary system, where temperatures are low enough for these volatile compounds to condense into solid or icy states. Their mass is generally larger than terrestrial planets but smaller than gas giants, typically falling within a range of roughly 10 to 30 Earth masses. This mass range is a key characteristic that places them in their own category.

The most well-known examples of potential jääjättiläiset are found in other star systems, as exoplanets. While no definitive examples have been confirmed within our own solar system, scientists have proposed that some of the outer planets in other systems might fit this description. The study of jääjättiläiset is an ongoing area of research in exoplanetary science, contributing to our understanding of planetary formation and diversity across the galaxy.