Planetary geology
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Planetary geology is a planetary science discipline concerned with the geology of the celestial bodies such as the planets and their moons, asteroids, comets, and meteorites. Alternatively known as astrogeology or exogeology. Although the geo prefix typically indicates topics of or relating to the Earth, "planetary geology" is named as such for historical and convenience reasons. The study of rocks originated with studying rocks on Earth, and due to the types of investigations involved, planetary geology is closely linked with Earth-based geology.
Eugene Shoemaker is credited with inventing the Branch of Astrogeology (now called the Astrogeology Research Program) within the U.S. Geological Survey. He made important contributions to the field and the study of impact craters, lunar science, asteroids, and comets.
The Visitor Center at Barringer Meteor Crater near Winslow, Arizona includes a Museum of Astrogeology.
- Geology of Mercury
- Geology of Venus
- Geology of the Moon
- Geology of Mars
- Geology of Callisto
- Geology of Europa
- Geology of Ganymede
- Geology of Io
- Geology of Titan
- Geology of Triton
- Geology of Pluto
[edit] References
- J. F. Bell III, B. A. Campbell, M. S. Robinson (2004). Remote Sensing for the Earth Sciences: Manual of Remote Sensing, 3rd, John Wiley & Sons. Retrieved on 2006-08-23.
- Roberge, Aki (1998-04-21). The Planets After Formation (English). Department of Terrestrial Magnetism. Retrieved on 2006-08-23.