Answer to Question #202918 in Astronomy | Astrophysics for Prachi

Question

What are the main differences between the terrestrial and jovian planets? How does the ring system of jovian planets persist for so long? 

Answer 1

The jovian planets are also known as the gas giants. In our Solar System this type of planets corresponds to Jupiter and Saturn, but Uranus and Neptune are known as ice giants. In the case of Jupiter and Saturn the principal components are hydrogen and helium. They are massive planets with thick atmospheres. The core may exist or not.

The terrestrial planets (or rocky planets) are composed of metals or silicates, so they have a solid surface. They are typically smaller then the gas giants. They also have central cores.

We know the ring systems near the Saturn and Jupiter. But these systems are not stable, they are slowly dissolving due to the collisions between the particles, to meteoroid bombardment. But in the divisions between the ring there exist the so called shepherd moons, their gravity influences the motion of particles and slightly stabilize the rings.