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

Saturnian oxygen

Astronomy; Planetary science

NASA's Cassini spacecraft has revealed an oxygen atmosphere exists around Saturn's moon Dione. Dione is only one of Saturn's 62 moons. However, the fact that other Saturn moons may also have ...

A large, basin-shaped volcanic depression that is more or less circular in form. Most volcanic calderas are produced by collapse of the roof of a magma chamber due to removal of magma by voluminous ...

PSR J1719-1438 b

Astronomy; Planetary science

A recently discovered planet made entirely of diamond, making it the densest planet known to man. The planet was formed when the primary member of a binary star went supernova leaving behind a ...

Super Earth

Astronomy; Planetary science

One of fifty newly found alien planets that could potentially support life. The planets have been discovered by an exoplanet-hunting telescope from the European Southern Observatory (ESO). The Super ...

Russian meteor shower of 2013

Astronomy; Planetary science

An intense meteor rain storm that sent fireballs crashing on Earth, shattering windows and damaging buildings in central Russia on February 15, 2013. The meteor shower caused more than 1000 people to ...

Bulge of the earth

Astronomy; General astronomy

The extra length of the earth diameter at its equator due to the centrifugal force of the earth's spinning motion. As a result, the earth is a slightly flattened sphere. The earth's bulge causes ...

Earthshine

Astronomy; General astronomy

The faint glow which dimly illuminates the dark part of the new moon which is seen as a narrow crescent. During this time, the earth is completely illuminated by the Sun which is the source of ...