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

Carbon star

Astronomy; Planetary science

A rare class of red giant stars unusually rich in carbon or carbon compounds.

Rille

Astronomy; Planetary science

Long channel on the Moon crossing the surface of maria; probably formed either as an open channel in a lava flow, or as an under-ground tube carrying hot lava which collapsed as the lava flowed out.

Shock wave

Astronomy; Planetary science

A powerful compressional wave that lasts for an extremely brief time. Shock waves are created by explosive events, such as the impact of a meteorite on a planetary surface.

Pyroxene

Astronomy; Planetary science

A silicate mineral common in basalt and composed mostly of iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), calcium ( Ca), and silicon (Si). Composition varies as a mixture among FeSiO 3 , MgSiO 3 , and CaSiO 3 .

Thermodynamics

Astronomy; Planetary science

The study of heat and its transformation to mechanical and other forms of energy.

Coma

Astronomy; Planetary science

A large cloud of dust and gas which escapes from the nucleus of an active comet.

Buried mare basalt lavas on the Moon. Many light plains in the lunar highlands have impact craters surrounded by dark piles of ejecta, nicknamed "dark-haloed craters. " The dark-haloed craters formed ...