A type of large planet composed primarily of water, methane, and ammonia ices, with smaller amounts of hydrogen and helium than gas giants. Uranus and Neptune are the ice giants in our solar system.
Coined in the late 20th century to distinguish Uranus and Neptune from the hydrogen-helium dominated gas giants. The term reflects their composition of 'ices' (frozen volatile compounds) rather than their temperature, as these materials are actually hot and under extreme pressure.
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