"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 formation and evolution of planets, including the processes that shape them over time.
Solar System Formation: The process of how the solar system formed including the nebular hypothesis and gravitational collapse.
Accretion: The process of particles colliding and sticking together to form larger objects such as planetesimals.
Differentiation: The separation of materials based on density due to heat and pressure in the early solar system.
Asteroids: Small, rocky objects that orbit the sun, often found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
Comets: Small, icy objects that originate from the Kuiper Belt and Oort Cloud and have highly elliptical orbits.
Planetary Atmospheres: The gaseous envelopes that surround planets, consisting of layers of different gases and varying in composition.
Volcanism: The eruption of molten rock from a planet's surface, forming volcanic structures and releasing gases into the atmosphere.
Impact Cratering: The formation of impact craters on planetary surfaces through collisions with asteroids, comets or other bodies.
Tectonics: The deformation of a planet's crust due to internal forces such as heat and pressure, leading to the formation of mountain ranges, rift valleys, and other features.
Astrobiology: The investigation of the origins, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe, including the possibility of life on other planets.
Astrochemistry: The study of the chemical processes occurring in space, including the formation of complex molecules necessary for life.
Magnetic Fields: The magnetic properties of planets and their interactions with planetary bodies and solar wind.
Planetary Geology: The study of the physical and chemical properties of planetary surfaces, including the identification and interpretation of geologic features.
Exoplanets: Planets orbiting other stars and their formation and evolution.
Radiometric dating: The process of using the decay of radioactive isotopes to determine the age of rocks and minerals.
Formation and Evolution of Moons: The process of how moons form and evolve within their planetary systems.
Planetary Rings: The formation and composition of rings around planets, and their potential effects on planetary evolution.
Planetary Migration: The process of how planets move in their orbits and interact with each other, potentially leading to catastrophic events or the formation of new planetary systems.
Paleomagnetism: The study of the history of Earth's magnetic field and the recording of its past orientations in rocks.
Planetary Astronomy: The study of planets and other bodies in the solar system through observations with telescopes and other instruments, including studies of planetary atmospheres, magnetic fields, and composition.
Nebular Hypothesis: The most widely accepted theory of planetary formation; it states that planets form from a dusty and gaseous disk that surrounds a young star.
Gravitational Instability: Planets can form from the fragmentation of a protoplanetary disk due to gravitational instabilities.
Pebble Accretion: Small dust particles and pebbles gravitationally attract each other, eventually accumulating into larger objects.
Disk Instability: The protoplanetary disk is unstable and fragments into clumps which can then collapse to form planets.
Formation via Collision: Planetary formation can occur when previously formed protoplanets collide and merge to form a larger planet.
Capture Theory: A planet can form in a different location and later be captured by a star due to gravitational attraction.
Giant Impact Hypothesis: Proposes that the Moon formed as a result of a collision between Earth and a Mars-sized body.
Tidal Evolution: Planets can change over time due to the gravitational interactions with other bodies in the solar system, which alter their shape and orbits.
Orbital Migration: Planets can move to new orbits due to gravitational interactions with other planets or massive bodies.
Stellar Flyby: Planets may be ejected from their original star system due to a passing star or black hole, resulting in a rogue planet.
"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."