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

polymict

Astronomy; Planetary science

Adjective used to describe a breccia that has an assortment of fragments of many different rock compositions and textures. (See also monomict. )

interstellar medium

Astronomy; Planetary science

The material between the stars, consisting of gas, dust and cosmic rays (high energy charged particles, moving at nearly the speed of light).

hematite

Astronomy; Planetary science

An iron-oxide mineral (Fe 2 O 3 ) that may be the cause of the red color on Mars. Courser-grained gray hematite has the same chemical formula as the red variety, but a different crystalline ...

ejecta

Astronomy; Planetary science

Material thrown out from and deposited around an impact crater.

transient crater

Astronomy; Planetary science

The initial crater excavated in the target rock during the first stage of an impact-cratering event.

thermocouple

Astronomy; Planetary science

A sensor for measuring temperature. It consists of two dissimilar metals, joined together at one end, which produce a small voltage proportional to the temperature.

astrobiology

Astronomy; Planetary science

Study of the origin, distribution, and destiny of life in the universe. These are interdisciplinary studies involving astronomers, astrophysicists, biologists, chemists, geneticists, geologists, ...