Gas Giants vs Ice Giants
Outer planets fall into two groups:
Gas giants: Jupiter & Saturn
Ice giants: Uranus & Neptune
They are much larger than Earth and have thick atmospheres.
Jupiter – King of the Planets
Largest planet in the solar system
Strongest gravity
Great Red Spot (giant storm)
Dozens of moons
Jupiter’s gravity may protect Earth by deflecting asteroids.
Saturn – The Ringed Planet
Famous ring system
Low density (would float in water — hypothetically)
Moon Titan has rivers of liquid methane
Uranus – The Sideways Planet
Tilted over 98 degrees
Extreme seasons
Coldest planetary atmosphere
Neptune – The Windy World
Fastest winds in the solar system
Deep blue colour
Powerful storms
Key Takeaways
Outer planets are massive
Extreme weather dominates
Moons may host subsurface oceans