Planetary Science, or Planetology, is a rapidly growing branch of science which describes the study of planets, celestial objects that are like planets, and anything which affects their shape, composition, appearance, or behaviour. As the study of planets includes the study of their structure and composition, atmosphere and climate cycles, their natural satellites and their interactions and relations with them and their star, planetary science overlaps greatly with some of the more traditional scientific disciplines.
The planet we know best is, of course, the one we are living on. Other planets can be studied remotely, using telescopes to observe them from a distance, while Space agencies around the world send robotic spacecraft to orbit, fly past or land on our planetary neighbours, and a dozen men have visited the moon.
We've published 14 articles and 22 specialist blog posts about planetology so far, featuring 179 unanswered planetology questions! But we're not done yet as we still have another 80 planetology research areas in our database to write about, so come back soon!
Recent Planetology News
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NASA’s Mission to Visit 8 Asteroids, Lucy, Launches on October 16th
15th October, 2021
An early morning launch is planned for the Lucy spacecraft, the first space mission to study Jupiter’s Trojan asteroids. Tomorrow, October 16 at 5:34 a.m. EDT is the first day and time in Lucy’s 21-day launch window, and current weather conditions show a 90% chance of favorable conditions for liftoff from Cape Canaveral Space Force …
Continue reading "NASA’s Mission to Visit 8 Ast…
How to Prevent our Spacecraft From Contaminating Mars
14th October, 2021
A new report by the National Academies of Sciences highlights the importance of planetary protection for future missions destined for Mars.
The post How to Prevent our Spacecraft From Contaminating Mars appeared first on Universe Today.
Scientists and Native People Jointly Study Sea-Ice Declines Threatening Seal Hunts
14th October, 2021
Seals have been a staple for the coastal village of Kotzebue for generations. Rapid changes in sea ice driven by ocean warmth are presenting a challenge for hunters.
We don’t know what causes lightning, how much of it there is, nor how to predict it. As global temperatures increase, so does lightning; as lightning increases, so do global temperatures. Its impact on atmospheric chemistry is still being explored.
Geoengineering the climate would mean venturing into new technology with huge consequences. But what might those consequences be and is there an alternative solution to anthropogenic climate change?
Chemists are exploring ways to mimic nature’s selective, low-temperature biochemical reactions that make delicate and reactive structures. Previously, chemists had copied high temperature geological reactions.
The search for alien life catches many people's imagination and has always been a very public branch of science. So with all this investigation, why has our search revealed nothing? Are we truly alone in the Universe?
Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system. It’s been observed since Babylonian times, yet we know little about what goes on inside this giant red planet.
Can't find what you're looking for? Browse the branches of planetology that interest you most.
Atmospheric Science is a catch-all term for the study of planetary atmospheres, including the climate and weather.
Exoplanetology is the study of planets orbiting stars other than our Sun.
Geochemistry is the use of Chemistry to study the composition and mechanisms of major geological systems such as Earth.
Geology is the study of terrestrial structures and the processes acting upon them.
Geophysics refers to the study of the physics of the Earth and its environment in space, including its gravitational and magnetic fields, and its atmosphere.
Hydrology is the study of water in the environment.
Planetary Astronomy is the study of planets, moons, and planetary systems through measurements taken from afar.
![Image credit: ©Photo by Crisco 1492 [CC BY-SA 3.0] via Wikimedia](https://www.thingswedontknow.com/img/sci/640px-mount_merapi_in_2014.jpg "Volcanoes")
Atmospheric Science is a catch-all term for the study of planetary atmospheres, including the climate and weather.
