What is planetary geology?

Planetary geology is the scientific discipline that extends the study of rocks, minerals, and geological processes beyond Earth to other celestial objects. Researchers in this field examine the composition and formation of rocks on planets, dwarf planets, and moons. They often utilize geophysical definitions of planets that differ from traditional astronomical classifications, focusing instead on internal activity and physical characteristics.

What we know

• The study of rocks in geology can include planetary geology, which investigates the rocks of celestial objects other than Earth. [3]
• Many planetary geologists consider dwarf planets and planetary-mass moons to be planets, despite the International Astronomical Union excluding them from the roster. [5]
• Professional geophysicists and planetary scientists use various geophysical definitions of the term planet instead of relying solely on the International Astronomical Union's definition. [2]
• Dwarf planets are capable of being geologically active, as demonstrated by space missions to Ceres and Pluto. [5]

Still open

• There is a considerable uncertainty over whether the tenth largest candidate body, Salacia, qualifies as a dwarf planet, making it a borderline case.
• The International Union of Geological Sciences has yet to create a formal definition of the term planet.

Where to go next

• the bigger pictureHow are rocks categorized on Earth and beyond?
• a case in pointWhat makes a celestial body a dwarf planet?
• compared withHow do geophysical definitions of planets differ from IAU rules?
• how it workedHow is the geologic time scale structured?
• how we knowWhat did the Dawn mission discover on Ceres?
• an unexpected connectionWhy do geologists study dwarf planets?Although dwarf planets are categorized primarily by astronomy, planetary geologists study them because they can be geologically active worlds with complex physical characteristics.

Sources

• [1]Geophysical planet definition (Wikidata Q85763065) · CC0 1.0
• [2]Geophysical definition of planet · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]Rock (geology) · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]Geologic time scale · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]Dwarf planet · CC BY-SA 4.0

Your path

1. What is the Septuagint?
2. /What is the history of Mount Shiroyama in Kagoshima?
3. /What were the Ridda Wars?
4. /What is the Cayman Trough and where is it located?
5. /What is the Tawrat in Islam?
6. /What is a hydrothermal vent?
7. /What are sedimentation and lithification?
8. /What is planetary geology?