Jättiläisplaneetta

Jättiläisplaneetta is a Finnish term that translates to "giant planet" or "gas giant" in English. It refers to a large planet, primarily composed of gases such as hydrogen and helium, with a relatively small rocky core. These celestial bodies are a common type of planet found in many star systems, including our own.

The defining characteristics of a jättiläisplaneetta are its immense size and low density. Unlike terrestrial planets which have solid, rocky surfaces, gas giants lack a defined surface. Their atmospheres are incredibly deep and extend throughout the entire planet. Jupiter and Saturn in our solar system are prime examples of jättiläisplaneettoja.

The formation of jättiläisplaneettoja is thought to occur in the outer regions of a protoplanetary disk, where temperatures are low enough for volatile compounds like water, ammonia, and methane to condense into ice. These icy particles then accumulate, forming larger cores that gravitationally attract vast amounts of hydrogen and helium gas from the surrounding disk.

Due to their massive size and gravitational pull, jättiläisplaneettoja can significantly influence the orbits of other celestial bodies in their system, including smaller planets and asteroids. They are also known to possess extensive moon systems, often captured from passing objects or formed from the same protoplanetary disk. Studying jättiläisplaneettoja provides valuable insights into planetary formation and the diversity of planetary systems beyond our own.