Description Giant planet

these cut-aways illustrate interior models of giant planets. jupiter shown rocky core overlaid deep layer of metallic hydrogen.

a giant planet massive planet , has thick atmosphere of hydrogen , helium. may have dense molten core of rocky elements, or core may have dissolved , dispersed throughout planet if planet hot enough. in traditional giant planets such jupiter , saturn (the gas giants) hydrogen , helium constitute of mass of planet, whereas make outer envelope on uranus , neptune, instead composed of water, ammonia, , methane , therefore increasingly referred ice giants .

extrasolar giant planets orbit close stars exoplanets easiest detect. these called hot jupiters , hot neptunes because have high surface temperatures. hot jupiters were, until advent of space-borne telescopes, common form of exoplanet known, due relative ease of detecting them ground-based instruments.

giant planets commonly said lack solid surfaces, more accurate lack surfaces altogether since gases constitute them become thinner , thinner increasing distance planets centers, becoming indistinguishable interplanetary medium. therefore, landing on giant planet may or may not possible, depending on size , composition of core.