Ice giants Giant planet

ice giants have distinctly different interior compositions gas giants. solar system s ice giants, uranus , neptune, have hydrogen-rich atmosphere extends cloud tops down 80% (uranus) or 85% (neptune) of radius. below this, predominantly icy , i.e. consist of water, methane, , ammonia. there rock , gas, various proportions of ice–rock–gas mimic pure ice, exact proportions unknown.

uranus , neptune have hazy atmospheric layers small amounts of methane, giving them aquamarine colors; light blue , ultramarine respectively. both have magnetic fields sharply inclined axes of rotation.

unlike other giant planets, uranus has extreme tilt causes seasons severely pronounced. 2 planets have other subtle important differences. uranus has more hydrogen , helium neptune despite being less massive overall. neptune therefore denser , has more internal heat , more active atmosphere. nice model, in fact, suggests neptune formed closer sun uranus did, , should therefore have more heavy elements.