"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."
Overview of the basic concepts in planetary science, including the formation of our solar system and the characteristics of planets and moons.
Planetary geology: This is the study of the physical features and processes of planets, including their surfaces, interior structures, and evolution over time.
Planetary atmospheres: This involves the study of the gases present in planetary atmospheres, including their composition, temperature, and dynamics.
Planetary magnetic fields: This area involves the study of the magnetism present in planets and the ways in which it affects their physical and atmospheric properties.
Remote sensing: This refers to the use of instruments to gather data about planetary surfaces and other features from a distance.
Spectroscopy: This topic involves the analysis of planetary materials based on the way light interacts with them.
Mineralogy: This is the study of the composition, structure, and properties of minerals and other materials found on planetary surfaces.
Volcanism: This involves the study of the formation and characteristics of volcanic features such as lava flows, ash deposits, and volcanic cones.
Impact craters: This area involves the study of the formation and characteristics of impact craters on planetary surfaces.
Planetary surfaces: This topic involves the study of the physical properties and processes that shape planetary surfaces.
Planetary orbits: This area involves the study of the trajectories that planets follow as they orbit the Sun, as well as the forces that affect their motions.
Planetary atmospheres and climate: This topic involves the study of the processes that drive weather and climate on planets, including the effects of solar radiation, atmospheric composition, and water cycle.
Remote sensing data processing: This involves the techniques and tools used to analyze data collected by remote sensing instruments.
Planetary science missions: This topic involves the study of missions to explore and study planets, and the scientific results they have generated.
Spectroscopy: Spectroscopy is the study of the interaction between matter and electromagnetic radiation (EMR). It is used in remote sensing to identify the chemical composition of planetary surfaces based on the spectral characteristics of the reflected light. The different types of spectroscopy techniques include infrared, visible, ultraviolet, and gamma ray.
Radiometry: Radiometry is the measurement of radiation energy in terms of its intensity and wavelength. Radiometer instruments are used in remote sensing to quantify the amount of radiation emitted or received from different types of planetary surfaces.
Radar: Radar is an active remote sensing technique that uses radio waves to detect and map the surface topology of planets. The radar system measures the time delay and the magnitude of the returned signal to image and map the surface features.
Lidar: Light Detection And Ranging (Lidar) is another active remote sensing technique that sends laser beams to measure the distance between the planetary surface and the sensor. Lidar is used to map planetary topography and atmospheric composition.
Polarimetry: Polarimetry is a remote sensing technique that is used to measure the polarization state of light reflected or emitted from planetary surfaces. Polarimetric measurements provide information about the size, shape, and texture of the materials present on planetary surfaces.
Thermal Infrared: Thermal infrared remote sensing is used to detect the emitted radiation from the heat sources on planetary surfaces, which provides information about the temperatures of the objects and their composition.
Imaging spectroscopy: Imaging spectroscopy has emerged as a powerful remote sensing technique that combines imaging and spectroscopy capabilities. It acquires spectral information about a surface at each pixel, which can be used to identify and map materials and their distributions.
Photometry: Photometry is the study of the measurement of the intensity of light. In planetary science, photometric measurements are used to study brightness variations on the surfaces of planetary objects to infer their morphology, composition, and geological activity.
Photogrammetry: Photogrammetry is another remote sensing technique used in planetary science to determine the topography of planetary surfaces from high-resolution images taken from orbiters or landers.
Ultraviolet: Ultraviolet remote sensing is used to study the composition and dynamics of planetary atmospheres and surfaces. It detects the absorption and emission of UV radiation by materials on the planetary surface or in the atmosphere.
"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."