Planetary science

Planetary science

The scientific study of planets including Earth, moons, and planetary systems of the Solar System in particular and the processes that form them.

Industry: Astronomy

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Planetary science

A point on the surface of a sphere that is located diametrically opposite another point. For example, on the Earth the antipode of Hawaii is Botswana. The term is used commonly in lunar geology to ...

Tectonics

Astronomy; Planetary science

General term referring to the large-scale change of rock in response to forces causing faulting and folding. The forces acting upon a rock mass are generally termed compressional (squeezing ...

Petrology

Astronomy; Planetary science

The scientific study of rocks. This is the field within geology that focuses on the origin, occurrence, formation, structure, and composition of mineral assemblages, and classification of rocks.

Iron

Astronomy; Planetary science

An element with atomic number 26; symbol: Fe. Iron is one of the most abundant elements in the rocky planets. It is the most abundant element in the metallic cores of the inner planets.

Mare soil

Astronomy; Planetary science

Sediment on the surface of the lunar maria; fragments of basalt rocks, broken mineral grains, and glass produced by impact.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)

Astronomy; Planetary science

One group of hydrocarbons (benzene) produced by decomposition or decay of organic matter. These are certainly aromatic: they stink!

Rare earth elements (REE)

Astronomy; Planetary science

Seventeen closely related elements, the lanthanoid series, from atomic numbers 57 through 71 on the Periodic Table (some people define the series from atomic numbers 58 through 71). These elements ...