Jäätikköplaneettoja

Jäätikköplaneettoja, or ice planets, are a type of exoplanet that are primarily composed of ice. These planets are believed to be similar in composition to the icy moons of the outer solar system, such as Europa and Enceladus. Ice planets are thought to form in the outer regions of planetary systems, where temperatures are low enough for volatile compounds like water, methane, and ammonia to condense and accumulate.

The presence of ice on these planets can lead to a variety of interesting phenomena. For example, the internal heat generated by the decay of radioactive elements can cause the ice to melt, creating subsurface oceans. These oceans could potentially harbor life, making ice planets of great interest to astrobiologists.

Ice planets are typically larger than terrestrial planets but smaller than gas giants. They are often found in orbits that are farther from their parent star than rocky planets, which are typically found in the habitable zone. The study of ice planets is an active area of research in the field of exoplanetology, as they provide valuable insights into the formation and evolution of planetary systems.