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

eccentricity

Astronomy; Planetary science

The measure of the degree of elongation of an ellipse. For example, a circle has an eccentricy of 0, and a parabola (an open figure) an eccentricity of 1. The deviation of an orbit from a perfect ...

parsec

Astronomy; Planetary science

A unit of astronomical distance equal to 3. 26 light years, or 206265 AU, which equals 3. 08 x 10 13 kilometers.

mare basalt

Astronomy; Planetary science

Rocks making up the dark, smooth, mare areas of the Moon.

stratigraphic column

Astronomy; Planetary science

A drawing showing the vertical sequence of rock. Geologists use this to interpret the relative sequence of past geological events.

The intensity of electromagnetic radiation (such as ultraviolet, visible light, and infrared, etc. ) across a range of wavelengths. A prism separates white light into the range of wavelengths we call ...

pathfinder

Astronomy; Planetary science

The second in NASA's Discovery program of low-cost spacecraft with highly focused science goals, Mars Pathfinder landed successfully on Mars on July 4, 1997. Images, science results, and engineering ...