What is a terrestrial planet?
Q: What is a terrestrial planet?
A: A terrestrial planet is a planet that is primarily composed of rock, particularly silicate, and similar in structure and composition to Earth.
Q: Which planets are considered terrestrial planets?
A: The original terrestrial planet is Earth, but the term has been extended to include Mercury, Venus, and Mars, which are the closest rocky neighbors to Earth.
Q: Are the surfaces and atmospheres of terrestrial planets like Earth?
A: While the structure and composition of terrestrial planets are similar to Earth, their surfaces and atmospheres can vary greatly. Some may be much hotter or colder than Earth, and may have more or less atmosphere.
Q: What type of planets are often considered to be terrestrial planets?
A: Any rocky (silicate) planet orbiting a star is considered to be a terrestrial planet.
Q: What is the composition of a terrestrial planet?
A: A terrestrial planet is primarily composed of rock, particularly silicate.
Q: Is Earth the only original terrestrial planet?
A: Yes, Earth is the original terrestrial planet.
Q: Has the term "terrestrial planet" changed over time?
A: Yes, the term "terrestrial planet" has been extended over time to include nearby rocky planets and any rocky planet orbiting any star, including those discovered through exoplanet research.
