WE have two types of planets: terrestrial planets, much like our Earth, and Jovian planets that are more like Jupiter.

WE have two types of planets: terrestrial planets, much like our Earth, and Jovian planets that are more like Jupiter.

The planets took shape out of dust and gas. Those that formed near the sun, like Earth, formed mainly out of heavy dust that contained elements such as iron and carbon, while the sun burnt the lighter gases away. Terrestrial planets - Earth, Mars, Mercury and Venus - are therefore small and solid. The Jovian planets, formed far from the sun, where its heat was not strong enough to burn away the gases. Jovian planets - Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, and Uranus - are much larger and lighter. - bigsiteofamazingfacts.com;wikipedia.org;astro.rug.nlg.nl