Mega-Earth

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A mega-Earth or massive solid planet is a type of terrestrial exoplanet that is very massive and dense — more massive than super-Earths. The term "mega-Earth" was coined in 2014, though it remained an informal category until a quantitative definition was proposed for it in 2026. Based on the measured radii and densities of known exoplanets as of March 2026, mega-Earths appear to be a distinct category of exoplanets that are between 2.1 and 5.0 Earth radii (R🜨) and have densities higher than Earth's (5.5 g/cm3). Based on their observed high densities, mega-Earths are inferred to be largely made of solid material, such as rock, metal, and ice. If the mega-Earth is rich in volatiles like water, it may harbor a supercritical ocean under a thin atmosphere of hydrogen, helium, and other gases. The existence of mega-Earths challenges conventional theories for planetary formation, as massive planets should accrete large amounts of gas in addition to solid material from the host star's protoplanetary...

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