"It is the scientific study of planets (including Earth), celestial bodies (such as moons, asteroids, comets) and planetary systems (in particular those of the Solar System) and the processes of their formation."
Formation of planets, exoplanets, and planetary systems. Exploration of planets using spacecraft.
Solar System Formation: The study of how our solar system formed from a cloud of gas and dust, including the role played by accretion, gravitational collapse, and planetesimal formation.
Planetary Geology: The study of the physical features, composition, and history of planets, moons, asteroids, and comets.
Atmospheres and Climate: The study of the gases surrounding planetary bodies, including their composition, dynamics, and interactions with the surface and space environment.
Planetary Magnetic Fields: The study of the magnetic properties of planets, their effects on the surrounding environment, and their origins.
Planetary Interiors: The study of the internal structure, composition, and dynamics of planets and moons, including their heat flows and seismic activity.
Planetary Missions and Instrumentation: The study of the design, development, and operation of space-based instruments and missions for planetary exploration and analysis.
Exoplanetary Science: The study of planets orbiting other stars, including their formation, composition, and habitability potential.
Astrobiology: The study of the origins and evolution of life in the universe, including the search for life beyond Earth.
Solar Wind and Magnetosphere Interactions: The study of the interaction between the charged particles emitted by the Sun and the magnetic fields of planets, including the formation of auroras and magnetospheric plasma dynamics.
Planetary Dynamics: The study of the motion and interactions of planets, moons, asteroids, and comets within our solar system, including their orbits, resonances, and gravitational interactions.
Space Weather: The study of how the space environment affects human technology and society, including the prediction and mitigation of space weather hazards such as solar flares, coronal mass ejections, and geomagnetic storms.
Planetary Protection: The study of measures to prevent contamination of other planets and moons with Earthly organisms during space exploration and sample return missions.
Planetary Evolution and Cycles: The study of the long-term changes in planetary systems and the cyclical patterns that emerge over time, including the evolution of planetary atmospheres and the geological cycles that shape their surfaces.
Planetary Resources and Mining: The study of the potential uses of planetary resources, such as water ice, minerals, and gases, for human exploration, settlement, and sustainable development in space.
Planetary Hazards: The study of natural phenomena such as impacts, volcanic eruptions, and seismic events that pose a risk to planetary infrastructure and exploration missions.
Planetary Geology: The study of the geology and mineralogy of planets, moons, asteroids, and comets.
Planetary Atmospheres: The study of the composition, dynamics, and evolution of the atmospheres of planets, moons, asteroids, and comets.
Exoplanetary Science: The study of planets outside our Solar System, including their orbit, composition, and potential for habitability.
Planetary Magnetospheres: The study of the magnetic fields and plasma environments surrounding planets, moons, asteroids, and comets.
Planetary Astronomy: The study of the interaction between planets and astronomical phenomena such as stars, galaxies, and cosmic rays.
Planetary Astrobiology: The study of the origins, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe, especially in relation to planets and moons.
Planetary Surface Processes: The study of the physical and chemical processes that shape the surfaces of planets, moons, asteroids, and comets.
Planetary Dynamics: The study of the motion and gravitational interactions of planets, moons, asteroids, and comets.
Planetary Astrophysics: The study of the physical properties, origins, and evolution of planets and planetary systems.
Planetary Remote Sensing: The study of planets, moons, asteroids, and comets through their electromagnetic radiation emissions and reflections, captured through telescopes or spacecraft.
"It studies objects ranging in size from micrometeoroids to gas giants."
"Aiming to determine their composition, dynamics, formation, interrelations, and history."
"It is a strongly interdisciplinary field...planetary geology, cosmochemistry, atmospheric science, physics, oceanography, hydrology, theoretical planetary science, glaciology, and exoplanetology."
"It originally grew from astronomy and Earth science."
"Allied disciplines include space physics, when concerned with the effects of the Sun on the bodies of the Solar System, and astrobiology."
"Observational research can involve combinations of space exploration, predominantly with robotic spacecraft missions using remote sensing, and comparative, experimental work in Earth-based laboratories."
"The theoretical component involves considerable computer simulation and mathematical modeling."
"Planetary scientists are generally located in the astronomy and physics or Earth sciences departments of universities or research centers."
"Yes, they generally study one of the Earth sciences, astronomy, astrophysics, geophysics, or physics at the graduate level and concentrate their research in planetary science disciplines."
"There are several purely planetary science institutes worldwide."
"Some planetary scientists work at private research centers and often initiate partnership research tasks."
"There are several major conferences each year."
"There is a wide range of peer-reviewed journals."
"Planetary geology, cosmochemistry, atmospheric science, physics, oceanography, hydrology, theoretical planetary science, glaciology, and exoplanetology."
"Yes, Earth is included in the study of planetary science."
"[Planetary science] aiming to determine their composition, dynamics, formation, interrelations, and history."
"It studies objects ranging in size from micrometeoroids to gas giants."
"...astronomy, astrophysics, geophysics, or physics."
"Astrobiology is an allied discipline of planetary science, focusing on the search for life beyond Earth."