Gaseous planets located far from the Sun
Explanation
The planets of the solar system are classified into two distinct groups based on their location relative to the asteroid belt and their physical composition: Inner Planets and Outer Planets.
- Inner Planets (Terrestrial Planets): These include Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. They are located between the Sun and the asteroid belt. These planets are characterized by being rocky, dense, and relatively small in size.
- Outer Planets (Jovian Planets): These include Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. They are located beyond the asteroid belt. These planets are characterized as gas giants or ice giants. They are large, composed primarily of hydrogen and helium (and ices in the case of Uranus and Neptune), possess ring systems, and have a large number of natural satellites.
Therefore, the Outer Planets are defined as gaseous bodies located far from the Sun.
Key Takeaway: Outer Planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune) are Jovian planets characterized by their large size, gaseous composition, ring systems, and distant location from the Sun, unlike the rocky Inner Planets.