The Solar System
The Terrestrial Planets
By Mark Ciotola
First published on May 8, 2019. Last updated on May 27, 2019.
The terrestrial major planets are Mercury, Venus, the Earth and Mars. Terrestrial planets are characterized by having the bulk of their mass in the form of rock, with relatively thin liquid and gas layers. These planets occupy the inner reaches of the Solar System.
The reason such planets did not accrete greater atmospheres is due to the strength of the solar wind and intensity of solar radiation.