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

solar conjunction

Astronomy; Planetary science

A condition where the solar elongation is zero, or practically speaking, so small that the celestial object cannot be seen in the glare of the Sun.

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.

kelvin

Astronomy; Planetary science

The fundamental unit of temperature. It is not calibrated in terms of the freezing and boiling points of water, but in terms of energy itself. The number 0 K is assigned to the lowest possible ...