terrestrial planet
Inner system body
A terrestrial planet is a planet composed primarily of rock and metal, with a solid surface—as opposed to gas giants like Jupiter and Saturn.
In our solar system, Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars are the terrestrial planets: The search for habitable exoplanets focuses on terrestrial planets in the "Goldilocks zone." Also called rocky planets.
Messenger god or planet
Covered with stones
- silicateOxygen-bound crystal compound
- ironElement twenty-six
- nickelElement twenty-eight, or coin
- basaltFine-grained volcanic stone
granite · crust · mantle · core · density · minerals · lithosphere · quartz
Life-permitting stellar region
- liquid waterH2O in flowing state
- atmosphereGaseous layer around planets
- biosignaturesDetectable signs of life
- habitable zoneRegion allowing liquid water
astrobiology · climate · temperature · greenhouse effect · oxygen · photosynthesis · circumstellar · solar radiation
Drifter or space explorer
- landerSpacecraft for surface arrival
- probeThorough examination or tool
- spacecraftVehicle for outer space
- NASAFederal space exploration bureau
ESA · mission · samples · remote sensing · telemetry · Perseverance · Curiosity · Viking
Mercury
Messenger god or planet
rocky
Covered with stones
basalt · granite · crust · mantle · core · density · minerals · lithosphere · quartz · feldspar
Goldilocks zone
Life-permitting stellar region
- liquid waterH2O in flowing state
- atmosphereGaseous layer around planets
- biosignaturesDetectable signs of life
habitable zone · astrobiology · climate · temperature · greenhouse effect · oxygen · photosynthesis · circumstellar · solar radiation · ecosphere
rover
Drifter or space explorer
- landerSpacecraft for surface arrival
- probeThorough examination or tool
- spacecraftVehicle for outer space
NASA · ESA · mission · samples · remote sensing · telemetry · Perseverance · Curiosity · Viking · orbiter
landforms
Natural geographic features
- mountainsTall elevated landmasses
- canyonsDeep, narrow valleys
- volcanoesLava-emitting geological formations
plains · craters · valleys · plateaus · shield volcano · rift · basin · polar ice · dunes · lava flows
- solar systemsun, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn
- planetary formationplanetesimals, protoplanet, solar nebula, planetesimal, snow line
terrestrial planetgas giant
Hydrogen-helium planetary body
giant planet · ice giant · outer planet · Jupiter · Saturn
terrestrial, planet, terra, terrace, terrain, terracotta, terrarium, subterranean, extraterrestrial