3^rd Global Geologists Annual Meeting

Planetary geology

Submit Abstract Register Now

Planetary Geology is the branch of geology specifically devoted to the study of objects other than Earth. In it we bring to bear many of the major geologic disciplines used to study Earth, including Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geomorphology, Volcanology and Sedimentology. It is also known as astrogeology or exogeology, is a planetary science discipline concerned with the geology of the celestial bodies such as the planets and their moons, asteroids, comets, and meteorites. This study is devoted to the study of structure, composition, processes, and origin of major and minor planetary bodies in our solar system and beyond, and to the effects of interaction between planetary bodies within our solar system.

Planetary geology studies usually relate to the quest for an understanding of the geological history of the body from its formation during accretion from the early solar nebula to its present condition. Planetary research is closely linked to experiments and instrument-related activities, including scientific and technical proposals for planetary space missions, instrument design, test activities and instrument calibration. The interior structure and evolution of planetary bodies are affected by endogenic processes acting deep inside the body and manifesting themselves at the surface through various geological and tectonic features. These can be identified and remotely sensed by using space probes carrying scientific instruments close to a target planet.