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

Viscosity

Astronomy; Planetary science

An internal property of a fluid that offers resistance to flow. If a fluid has a high viscosity, then it strongly resists flow. An example of a low viscosity fluid is water.

Mafic

Astronomy; Planetary science

Term describing high contents of dark-colored, magnesium-rich and iron-rich minerals.

Light year

Astronomy; Planetary science

Distance that light can travel in 1 year. Light travels at a speed of 300,000 km / sec, so this distance is equal to 9. 46 x 10 12 kilometers.

Sill

Astronomy; Planetary science

A tabular, parallel-sided sheet of igneous rock, formed underground, that is parallel to the layered rocks around it.

Kelvin

Astronomy; Planetary science

The fundamental unit of temperature. It is not calibrated in terms of the freezing and boiling points of water, but in terms of energy itself. The number 0 K is assigned to the lowest possible ...

Magnesium number

Astronomy; Planetary science

The ratio of magnesium to iron, usually reported as the molar ratio Mg/(Mg+Fe), and abbreviated as Mg# or Mg' or Mg*. This value is used commonly to discriminate between lunar rock types.

Lunar cataclysm

Astronomy; Planetary science

Term referring to the idea that a sharp increase in impact bombardment rate between about 3. 92 and 3. 85 billion years ago affected the inner Solar System--most notably recorded in the numerous ...