Definition
An icy giant planet without rings is a body dominated by a fluid envelope rich in volatile compounds, without any solid orbital structure. Its organization is based on superposed layers whose properties change progressively with depth.
Internal structure
The interior consists of a succession of regions where composition and physical state gradually vary. External zones contain gases and light fluids, while deeper regions exhibit dense mixtures of volatiles. A core, solid or partially fluid, acts as the organizational foundation.
Atmosphere and fluid envelopes
The atmosphere is composed of cold layers marked by zones, circulations and vortex structures. The deep envelopes present successive fluid transitions that influence the distribution of internal energy and atmospheric motions.
Absence of ring systems
The absence of rings results from dynamic conditions that did not maintain any stable solid structure around the body. This configuration minimizes interactions between orbiting particles and the system’s gravitational field.
Dynamics and interactions
The overall dynamics depend on internal gradients, rotation and exchanges between fluid layers. Without rings, interactions focus on atmospheric motions and the transitions between deep and superficial regions.