3.6 The gas planets


The gas planets of our solar system: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.

Jupiter
is the largest planet in our solar system. It is made of gaseous hydrogen and helium. It is surrounded by thin rings, which are invisible when viewing the planet from Earth.

Saturn is a planet that has been compressed at its poles. It is the second largest planet in our solar system. Its composition is similar to that of its neighbor Jupiter. It is surrounded by rings.

Uranus is the only planet that is named after a Greek god (all the other planets are named after Roman gods). Although in popular imagination it is often considered an ice giant, it actually contains very little ice. 

Neptune is the outermost planet of our solar system. It cannot be distinguished with the naked eye from planet Earth.