The compositions of the planets

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The compositions of the planets were primarily controlled by their distance from the sun during their formation. This is known as the "Frost Line," where volatile materials such as water and carbon dioxide would have been able to condense and form solid bodies closer to the outer solar system. The largest planets, such as Jupiter and Saturn, were able to accumulate more gas due to their greater gravity and distance from the sun compared to smaller rocky planets like Earth. Therefore, the compositions of the planets are not all very similar and geologists can judge their similarity to Earth based on their distance from the sun during their formation. Radiation from the sun can alter planetary compositions over time, but it is not the primary factor in determining the initial compositions of the planets.

The Compositions of the Planets