![](http://www.alamy.com/thumbs/6/F8950EEC-ECAA-437D-81BA-FAEC3FFFDAEE/2T2FFBW.jpg)
Artist's impression of a chthonian planet.
Artist's impression of a chthonian planet. Chthonian planets are a hypothetical class of celestial objects resulting from the stripping away of a gas giant's hydrogen and helium atmosphere and outer layers, which is called hydrodynamic escape. The remaining rocky or metallic core would resemble a terrestrial planet in many respects. Possible chthonian planets are HD 209458 b, Gliese 436b and CoRoT-7b.
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Photo credit: © Pablo Carlos Budassi/Stocktrek Images / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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