Planets The astronomers make use of different criteria to classify the celestial bodies. The composition of the planet is one such important factor. Therefore, check out the different types of these celestial bodies based on the composition.
Chthonian Planet
These celestial objects will revolve close to a star. It is believed that these bodies were initially gas giants. But not they only have a metallic rocky core. Our solar system does not have these types of bodies. The most important examples are Kepler-57b and Kepler-52b.
Dessert Planet
As the name suggests these bodies have dessert-like conditions. Venus is said to have been this type of celestial body. It is also said that the earth will also become this type of celestial body. This is because of the increasing luminosity of the sun.
It is also said that the earth will also become this type of celestial body. This is because of the increasing luminosity of the sun.
Gas Dwarf
This consists of a solid core which is covered with an atmosphere. This atmosphere is made up of hydrogen, helium, etc. An example of a gas dwarf is extrasolar body Kepler-138d.
Gas Giants
These celestial bodies are made from gases like hydrogen and helium. These are very large in size. Saturn and Jupiter are examples of these types of celestial bodies. These are said to have a molten core.
Ice Giants
Now, these are made up of gases that are heavier as compared to gases on gas giants.
These are mainly made up of carbon, sulfur, oxygen, and nitrogen. Our solar system has two ice giants. These are Neptune and Uranus.
Ice Planet
These are made up of volatile compounds like water, methane and ammonia. These are in the frozen state.
They will have very low temperatures. We do not have any such celestial bodies in our solar system. Scientists believe that there is a possibility of life on these types of celestial bodies.
Iron Celestial Body
These will have an iron-rich core. Mantle will be absent in these bodies. If it is present then it will be very little.
Mercury is this type of celestial body in our solar system. According to expert the mantle of these celestial bodies was removed due to huge impacts.
Puffy Celestial Bodies
These are also gas giants that are close to their stars. The atmosphere on these bodies will expand. This is due to the temperature of the stars. Due to this, these bodies will have more equatorial radius but low densities.
We do not have these types of bodies in our solar system. But there are such bodies beyond our solar system. Examples are WASP-12b and WASP 17b.
Silicate Celestial Bodies
These bodies are made from silicate compounds. They will have silicate mantel and iron core. They will also have mountains, canyons, and valleys. Examples of celestial bodies are Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars.
These are some of the different types of celestial bodies based on composition. There are 17 types of celestial bodies based on composition. Of these, some are only theoretical bodies like carbon celestial body or city celestial body. However, have only listed the important celestial bodies on the basis of the composition.
