Some exoplanets are rocky from "summary" of Exoplanets and Alien Solar Systems by Tahir Yaqoob
The composition of exoplanets varies greatly from one to another. Some exoplanets are rocky, similar to Earth, Venus, and Mars in our own solar system. These rocky exoplanets are composed primarily of silicate rocks and metals. Their solid surfaces are covered with mountains, valleys, and plains, much like the terrestrial planets in our neighborhood. Rocky exoplanets are typically found closer to their parent star, in a region known as the "rocky belt." This region is analogous to the inner solar system where the terrestrial planets are located. The proximity to the parent star results in higher temperatures on these rocky exoplanets. As a result, some of them may have molten lava flowing on their surfaces, creating volcanic activity similar to Earth. The gravitational pull of rocky exoplanets is strong enough to retain their atmospheres, although they tend to have thinner atmospheres compared to gas giants. Without a thick atmosphere to trap heat, temperatures on these rocky exopl...Similar Posts
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