Jovian planets are larger, further from the sun, rotate faster, have more moons, have more rings, are less dense overall and have denser cores than terrestrial planets. Four Major Characteristics of the Solar System. They differ from each other on various fronts, including their size, position, and composition. With the exception of Pluto, planets in our solar system are classified as either terrestrial (Earth-like) or Jovian (Jupiter-like) planets. The surfaces of terrestrial planets have mountains, craters, canyons, and volcanoes. The 4 inner planets are the closest to the Sun, and the outer planets are the other four – Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Physical Science. The main features of a terrestrial planet is that it must have a solid surface, a rocky or metal structure with a dense molten metal core. The gas giants of our … A gas giant is a giant planet composed mainly of hydrogen and helium. Most planets discovered outside our system have a composition similar to that of the outer planets. A gas giant is a large planet composed mostly of gases, such as hydrogen and helium, with a relatively small rocky core. Based on their characteristics, these eight planets are grouped into Jovian planets and terrestrial planets. Gas giants are sometimes known as failed stars because they contain the same basic elements as a star. Terrestrial planets are Earth-like planets made up of rocks or metals with a hard surface. Well, the jovian planets are less dense when compared to the terrestrial planets, because they are mainly composed of hydrogen gas. Both Mars and Earth have permanent polar ice caps. Terrestrial Planets Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars (Inner Planets) Small (about the size of the Earth) Rocky, usually with large iron cores. The Jovian planets, for instance, are relatively larger than their terrestrial counterparts. Large bodies in the solar system have orderly motions. The outer planets are also known as giant planets , since their size is much larger than that of the inner planets.

Jovian planet cores are also expected to consist of rock, metal and hydrogen. Jovian vs. Terrestrial Planets The characteristics of the four closest planets to the Sun are much different than those of the outer planets.

About 75% of Earth’s surface is covered in water. None of the terrestrial planets in our solar system have ring systems. The terrestrial planets are also sometimes referred to as the “rocky” planets. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh, the outside or the planets farthermost from the sun are referred to as the Jovian planets. While the terrestrial planets are made of solid surfaces, the jovian planets are made of gaseous surfaces. Jovian planets also have gaseous atmospheres, with the main gases being hydrogen and helium. It is these specific features that bring about all other terrestrial planet characteristics. The magnetic fields of the outer planets are very high. Terrestrial and Jovian Planets. All planets and most satellites have elliptical, often nearly circular, orbits in nearly the same plane and revolve in the same sense (counterclockwise when looking down on the North Pole). They are the coldest, the iciest, and by far less well known. They are also known as Jovian planets , a name that comes from Jupiter. A look at the Characteristics of Jovian Planets. The predictable nature of the orbits is traditionally described by Kepler's laws. One of the main differences that can be seen between terrestrial and jovian planets, is their surfaces.