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

moonquake

Astronomy; Planetary science

Sudden motion or trembling of the Moon caused by the abrupt release of slowly accumulated elastic energy in rocks.

protostar

Astronomy; Planetary science

A star in the process of formation which has not yet become hot enough in the core to initiate the process of nuclear fusion (10 7 K) to halt its gravitational collapse.

celestial sphere

Astronomy; Planetary science

An imaginary sphere centered on the Earth, or arbitrary large radius on the surface of which the stars are considered to be fixed.

descartes

Astronomy; Planetary science

Lunar highlands site of Apollo 16 landing on April 21, 1972.

magma ocean

Astronomy; Planetary science

Term used to describe the layer of magma, hundreds of kilometers thick; thought to have covered the Moon 4. 5 billion years ago. The timing, duration, cooling rates, convection, partial melting, ...

crater

Astronomy; Planetary science

A hole or depression. Most are roughly circular or oval in outline. On Earth most natural craters are of volcanic origin. On the Moon most are of impact origin.