gasgiant

A gas giant is a large planet primarily composed of hydrogen and helium. Unlike terrestrial planets, they lack a well-defined solid surface. The outer layers of gas giants are extensive and their mass is significantly greater than that of rocky planets. Jupiter and Saturn are the two most prominent examples of gas giants in our solar system. Uranus and Neptune are also classified as gas giants, though they are sometimes referred to as ice giants due to their higher proportions of heavier elements like oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur in addition to hydrogen and helium. These heavier elements are thought to be present in a fluid icy mantle beneath the gaseous atmosphere.

Gas giants often possess extensive ring systems and numerous moons. Their immense gravity plays a crucial role in shaping the solar system, influencing the orbits of other celestial bodies and potentially deflecting comets and asteroids. The internal structure of a gas giant is believed to consist of a dense core, potentially rocky or metallic, surrounded by layers of metallic hydrogen, liquid hydrogen, and finally the visible atmosphere. Intense pressures and temperatures within these planets create unique conditions, including the formation of exotic materials and powerful atmospheric phenomena such as the Great Red Spot on Jupiter. The study of gas giants provides valuable insights into planetary formation and the diversity of exoplanets found throughout the universe.