Astronomy › Section I · Giant planets, moons, and rings › Topic I.2
The giant planets
Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune are not just big versions of Earth. Their masses, densities, spins and inner heat reveal worlds of compressed gas and hot fluid, with no solid surface to stand on.
In this topic
- Four giants, two families
- Density tells us what they are made of
- Worked example: would Saturn float?
- Fast spins measured by radio
- Tilts and strange seasons
- Worked example: a season on Uranus
- Inside: metallic hydrogen and cores
- Heat from within
- Magnetic fields and magnetospheres
- Common mistakes to avoid
- Key takeaways
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