"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."
The study of the properties, structure, and evolution of planets and other bodies in the solar system. Topics include the geology, chemistry, and atmospheres of planets, moons, and asteroids.
Origin and evolution of the solar system: This includes understanding how the solar system formed from a cloud of gas and dust, and how the planets and other bodies have evolved over time.
Basic principles of chemistry: Understanding chemistry is critical in astrochemistry as it dictates the chemical reactions that occur in the universe. This knowledge covers the elementary reactions involved in chemical bonding, thermodynamics, and kinetics.
Atmospheric chemistry: Atmospheric chemistry is a vital topic in planetary science as it is vital to the production of volatile chemicals, helps to determine the fundamental characteristics of planetary atmospheres, and is crucial to the regulation of the planetary climate.
Extraterrestrial environments: This topic covers how different environments affect the characteristics and composition of celestial bodies.
Astrobiology: Astrobiology is the study of life on other planets and the likelihood of extraterrestrial life. It involves researching and understanding planetary conditions that enable and sustain life on other bodies.
Planetary surfaces: Understanding planetary surfaces is essential in understanding geological processes such as weathering, erosion, volcanism, and tectonics.
Planetary interiors: This topic deals with geophysics and the internal stricture and the interior of the planet. It studies the origin, composition, and geologic activities of planetary bodies.
Solar winds: Solar wind is defined as the stream of particles continuously ejected from the sun's upper atmosphere. The population of charged particles generated by the sun carries energy and matter, explaining how astrophysical bodies interact with one another.
Astronomical observations: Astronomical observations are used to study planets and the solar system. The collection of data from telescopes and spacecrafts are essential in understanding planetary science and astrochemistry.
Stellar evolution: Understanding the physical, chemical, and structural characteristics of stars is vital in understanding the evolutionary history of the solar system, and therefore it is a critical topic in planetary science.
Geology: Study of the solid parts of a planet, including its structure, composition, history, and processes that shape its surface.
Atmospheric Science: Study of the gaseous outer layer of a planet, including its composition, weather, climate, and dynamics.
Magnetospheric Science: Study of the electromagnetic fields and charged particles in a planet's magnetic environment, including the interaction between the planet's magnetic field and the solar wind.
Astrobiology: Study of the origin, distribution, evolution, and future of life in the universe, including the search for extraterrestrial life.
Planetary Dynamics: Study of the orbits, rotations, and gravitational interactions of planets, moons, asteroids, and comets.
Cosmochemistry: Study of the chemical elements and their isotopes in extraterrestrial materials such as meteorites, asteroids, comets, and interstellar dust.
Planetary Formation: Study of the processes and conditions that lead to the formation and evolution of planets and planetary systems.
Planetary Exploration: Study of the techniques and technologies used to explore planets and other celestial bodies, including spacecraft design, data analysis, and mission planning.
Planetary Interiors: Study of the physical and chemical properties of the interior of planets and the processes that drive their evolution.
Planetary Surfaces: Study of the geological processes and features that shape the surfaces of planets and moons, including impact craters, volcanoes, and tectonic activity.
Planetary Atmospheres: Study of the atmospheric dynamics and chemical processes that determine the climate and weather of planets and moons.
Planetary Magnetism: Study of the magnetic fields of planets and moons, including their origins, dynamics, and effects on atmospheric and surface processes.
Planetary Rings: Study of the complex ring systems that orbit some planets, including their composition, structure, and dynamics.
Planetary Science Education: Study of the best practices and approaches to teaching and learning about planetary science for students and the general public.
"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."