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Planetary geology, alternatively known asastrogeology orexogeology, is aplanetary science discipline concerned with thegeology ofcelestial bodies such asplanets and theirmoons,asteroids,comets, andmeteorites.[1][2] Although the geo- prefix typically indicates topics of or relating toEarth, planetary geology is named as such for historical and convenience reasons; due to the subject matter, it is closely linked with more traditional Earth-based geology.[3]
Planetary geology includes such topics as determining the properties and processes of the internal structure of theterrestrial planets,surface processes such asvolcanism,impact craters, evenfluvial andaeolian action where applicable. Despite their outermost layers being dominated by gases, thegiant planets are also included in the field of planetary geology, especially when it comes to their interiors. Fields within Planetary geology are largely derived from fields in the traditionalgeological sciences, such asgeophysics,geomorphology, andgeochemistry.
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Eugene Merle Shoemaker is credited with bringing geologic principles to planetary mapping and creating the branch of planetary science in the early 1960s, theAstrogeology Research Program, within theUnited States Geological Survey. He made important contributions to the field and the study ofimpact craters,selenography (study of the Moon), asteroids, and comets.[4]
Major centers for planetary science research include theLunar and Planetary Institute,Applied Physics Laboratory,Planetary Science Institute,Jet Propulsion Laboratory,Southwest Research Institute, andJohnson Space Center. Additionally, several universities conduct extensive planetary science research, includingMontana State University,Brown University, theUniversity of Arizona,California Institute of Technology,University of Colorado,Western Michigan University,Massachusetts Institute of Technology, andWashington University in St. Louis. Planetary geologists usually study eithergeology,astronomy,planetary science,geophysics, or one of theearth sciences at the graduate level.[citation needed]
Simulated interplanetary missions performed on Earth have studied procedures and tools for planetary geology. Various tools, including common archaeological tools such as hammers, shovels, brushes, were evaluated for use by planetary geologists.[5] Along with these common tools, new advanced technologies have become available. These include spectroscopic databases, and data (such as mission logs, images and mapping) from previous unmanned interplanetary missions.[6] Scientists use maps, images, telescopes on Earth, and orbiting telescopes (such as theHubble Space Telescope).[7] The maps and images are stored in the NASAPlanetary Data System where tools such as the Planetary Image Atlas help to search for certain items such as geological features including mountains, ravines, and craters.[8]
Planetary geology uses a wide variety of standardized terms for features.[9] All planetary feature names recognized by theInternational Astronomical Union (IAU) combine one of these terms with a possibly unique identifying name. The conventions which decide the more precise name are dependent on which planetary body the feature is on, but there are standard descriptors common to all astronomical planetary bodies. New terms must be recognized by the IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature, and are commonly added as features are mapped and described by new planetary missions.[10] This means that in some cases, names may change as improved imagery becomes available,[10] or in other cases widely adopted informal names are changed to be in line with the rules.[11] The standard names are chosen to consciously avoid interpreting the underlying cause of the feature, but rather to describe only its appearance.[9]
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