Supermaankokoisiin

Supermaankokoisiin is a Finnish term used in astronomy to refer to exoplanets larger than Earth but smaller than the ice giants Uranus and Neptune. In practice it describes a broad class, often called super-Earths in English. The designation is not a strict scientific category; it covers a range of possible compositions and structures.

Typical properties associated with supermaankokoisiin include masses roughly between 1 and 10 Earth masses and radii around about 1.2 to 2 Earth radii. Because composition can vary, these planets may be rocky and iron-rich, or contain substantial water content, and some may possess thick atmospheres. There is also a tendency for a transition zone: rocky, high-density super-Earths on one side and gas-rich mini-Neptunes on the other, depending on formation history and atmospheric accretion.

Formation and evolution of supermaankokoisiin are explained by core accretion in protoplanetary disks. The final composition and structure depend on factors such as distance from the host star, disk mass, and the planet’s ability to accrete light gases. Some planets in this size range may acquire thick atmospheres, while others remain predominantly rocky.

Detection and study of supermaankokoisiin rely on transit surveys (such as Kepler, K2, and TESS) and radial-velocity measurements to determine size and mass, with microlensing contributing in some cases. They are found around a variety of stellar hosts, and are believed to be common in the galaxy. The potential for habitability varies and depends on atmospheric properties and orbital location, making precise assessment an active area of research.