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what are called terrestrial planets

Terrestrial planets are the small, dense, rocky planets like Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars that have solid surfaces made mostly of rock and metal.

What are called terrestrial planets?

  • “Terrestrial” (or telluric/rocky) planets are worlds made primarily of silicate rock and metals with a solid surface.
  • In our solar system, the four terrestrial planets are Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars, the inner planets closest to the Sun.
  • They typically have a dense metal core (mostly iron and nickel), a rocky mantle and crust, and relatively thin or even no atmospheres compared with gas giants.

In simple terms: when people ask “what are called terrestrial planets,” they mean “Which planets are the rocky, Earth‑like ones?”
Answer: Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars.

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