2021/08/07 by David G. Russell, Russell, David G.
Physics and Astronomy · #Astro and Planetary Science #Earth and Planetary Astrophysics (astro-ph.EP) #FOS: Physical sciences #Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics (astro-ph.IM) #Scientific Research and Discoveries #Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2108.03343
openalex publication_date 2021/08/07 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
A classification system is presented for characterizing the composition of planetary bodies. From mass-radius and mass-density relationships, planets may be broadly grouped into five composition classes identified as: Gas Giant, Rock-Ice Giant, gas-rich Terrestrial, Rock Terrestrial, and Rock-Ice Terrestrial based upon the mass fractions of H-He gas, rock, and ice. For each of these broad composition classes, specific bulk composition classes are defined and characterized with Solar System analog names. The classification system allows for both general and detailed characterization of exoplanets based upon planetary mass-radius-composition models and provides rationale for distinguishing gas-rich super-Earths from mini-Neptunes.