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planetary science

Also known as planetology, planetary astronomy, planetary sciences, exoscience

science of planets and other astronomical objects apparently in orbit around one or more stellar objects

AI overview

Planetary science is the study of planets and other objects that orbit stars, helping us understand how these worlds form, evolve, and function. This research matters because it expands our knowledge of the universe, informs our understanding of Earth's place in it, and can reveal conditions that might support life elsewhere.

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Image: Apollo15DunaTisza.jpg

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Commons category: Planetary science
Mastodon instance URL: solarsystem.social

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Article

A geological map of the Sputnik Planitia basin on the dwarf planet Pluto. Analysis of planetary surfaces and surface features is a major component of planetary science.

Planetary science (or more rarely, planetology) is the scientific study of celestial bodies (such as planets (including Earth), moons, asteroids, comets) and planetary systems (in particular those of the Solar System) and the processes of their formation. It studies objects ranging in sizes from micrometeoroids to huge gas giants, with the aim of determining their composition, dynamics, formation, interrelations and history. It is a strongly interdisciplinary field, which originally grew from astronomy and Earth science, and now incorporates many disciplines, including planetary geology, cosmochemistry, atmospheric science, physics, oceanography, hydrology, theoretical planetary science, glaciology, and exoplanetology. Allied disciplines include space physics, when concerned with the effects of the Sun on the bodies of the Solar System, and astrobiology.