What is Planetary science?
'''Planetary science''' (or ''planetology'') is the organized study of [[planets]], which are relatively large, stable bodies in [[orbit]]s around [[star]]s. The planet best known to us is the [[Earth]]. There are seven other major planets in the [[Solar System]]. The Solar System also has [[dwarf planet]]s, such as [[Pluto]] and [[Ceres]], the largest [[asteroid]]. [[Space probe]]s have gone near or landed on all planets in our [[solar system]]. In recent decades better [[telescope]]s have found planets in solar systems other than our own, which are known as [[exoplanet]]s. One of the first was a planet found to be orbiting [[Barnard's star]]. Planetary science is a part of [[astronomy]] and [[geology]]. It is sometimes referred to as '''planetary geology'''. Planetary science in a broad sense includes finding a planet's [[orbital period]] and orbital distance from its star, the [[mineral]] makeup of the planet, and an attempt to learn its age. It may also have a more narrow focus, such as the [[map]]ping of the planet's surface features and the makeup of its [[atmosphere]]. {{Commons category|Planetary science}} == Other websites == * [http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/Planetology Planetology] - [[Citizendium]] {{-}} {{sci-stub}} {{authority control}} [[Category:Planets|Science]] [[Category:Astronomy]]