super-Earths
Larger rocky worlds
Super-Earths are exoplanets larger than Earth but smaller than Neptune—typically between two and ten times Earth's mass.
The term describes size, not habitability; a super-Earth might be rocky like our planet or wrapped in thick gas.
Astronomers hunting for life find them interesting because some orbit in habitable zones: Kepler discovered several super-Earths that might support liquid water.
Worlds orbiting other stars
- James Webb Space TelescopeInfrared space observatory
- Hubble Space TelescopeOrbiting astronomical observatory
- spectroscopyStudy of light-matter interaction
- observatoryFacility for celestial study
space telescope · habitable zone · Goldilocks zone · biosignatures · red dwarf · planetary system
Covered with stones
- silicateOxygen-bound crystal compound
- iron coreCentral metallic magnetic component
- mantleCovering or wrap
- crustHard outer layer
volcanism · tectonics · plate tectonics · outgassing · differentiation · lithosphere · water world · atmosphere
H2O in flowing state
- habitable zoneRegion allowing liquid water
- Goldilocks zoneLife-permitting stellar region
- biosignaturesDetectable signs of life
- atmosphereGaseous layer around planets
oxygen · red dwarf · habitability · astrobiology · SETI · temperate · surface temperature · climate
Relating to land
- gravity wellRegion of curved spacetime
- heavy elementsHigh atomic number substances
- accretionGrowth through external addition
- formationCreation or arrangement
exoplanets
Worlds orbiting other stars
- James Webb Space TelescopeInfrared space observatory
- Hubble Space TelescopeOrbiting astronomical observatory
- spectroscopyStudy of light-matter interaction
observatory · space telescope · habitable zone · Goldilocks zone · biosignatures · red dwarf · planetary system
rocky
Covered with stones
- silicateOxygen-bound crystal compound
- iron coreCentral metallic magnetic component
- mantleCovering or wrap
crust · volcanism · tectonics · plate tectonics · outgassing · differentiation · lithosphere · water world · atmosphere · surface gravity
liquid water
H2O in flowing state
- habitable zoneRegion allowing liquid water
- Goldilocks zoneLife-permitting stellar region
- biosignaturesDetectable signs of life
atmosphere · oxygen · red dwarf · habitability · astrobiology · SETI · temperate · surface temperature · climate · magnetic field
terrestrial
Relating to land
- gravity wellRegion of curved spacetime
- heavy elementsHigh atomic number substances
- accretionGrowth through external addition
- planetsplanets, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Venus
- Rocky PlanetsMars, Venus, rocky planets, exoplanet, exoplanets
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