Mini-Neptune

A mini-Neptune or sub-Neptune (sometimes known as a gas dwarf or transitional planet) is a planet of up to 10 Earth masses (M⊕), less massive than Uranus and Neptune, which have about 14.5 M⊕ and 17 M⊕, respectively. Mini-Neptunes have thick hydrogen–helium atmospheres, probably with deep layers of ice, rock or liquid oceans (made of water, ammonia, a mixture of both, or heavier volatiles). A mini-Neptune or sub-Neptune (sometimes known as a gas dwarf or transitional planet) is a planet of up to 10 Earth masses (M⊕), less massive than Uranus and Neptune, which have about 14.5 M⊕ and 17 M⊕, respectively. Mini-Neptunes have thick hydrogen–helium atmospheres, probably with deep layers of ice, rock or liquid oceans (made of water, ammonia, a mixture of both, or heavier volatiles). Theoretical studies of such planets are loosely based on knowledge about Uranus and Neptune. Without a thick atmosphere, it would be classified as an ocean planet instead. An estimated dividing line between a rocky planet and a gaseous planet is around 1.6-2.0 Earth radii. Planets with larger radii and measured masses are mostly low-density and require an extended atmosphere to simultaneously explain their masses and radii, and observations are showing that planets larger than approximately 1.6 Earth-radius (and more massive than approximately 6 Earth-masses) contain significant amounts of volatiles or H–He gas, likely acquired during formation. Such planets appear to have a diversity of compositions that is not well-explained by a single mass–radius relation as that found for denser, rocky planets. Similar results are confirmed by other studies. As for mass, the lower limit can vary widely for different planets depending on their compositions; the dividing mass can vary from as low as one to as high as 20 M⊕.