Planetary science is the scientific study of planets, celestial bodies and planetary systems and the processes of their formation.
It studies objects ranging in size from micrometeoroids to gas giants, aiming to determine their composition, dynamics, formation, interrelations and history.
What's the Planetary Science?
Planetary science is the scientific study of planets and their planetary systems which includes moons, ring systems, gas clouds, and magnetospheres.
It involves understanding how planetary systems formed, how these systems work and how all their components interact. It is a cross-discipline field including aspects of astronomy, atmospheric science, geology, space physics, biology and chemistry.
And we should Use unmanned robot spacecraft to make measurements of the planets and their planetary systems.
Use telescopes on the ground or in space to make observations of distant planets, moons, etc.
Carry out experimental work in laboratories or in at different sites on the Earth which replicate different planetary environments.
Do theoretical work involving mathematical work and building models of planetary systems or their components using computers.
The Titan is Saturn's largest moon and the second largest moon in the Solar System.
MSSL Planetary scientists used measurements made by the Cassini spacecraft, as it flew through Titan's upper atmosphere, to discover very large electrically charged organic molecules in Titan's atmosphere.
By measuring their mass and considering the chemistry involve to create them we found out that they could be created by complex chemistry in the atmosphere. The energy to drive this process comes from sunlight and from particles in Saturn's magnetosphere raining down on the atmosphere.
These particles slowly rain down onto Titan's surface, becoming neutral as they do so, and become a type of heavy molecule known as a Tholin.
We think these are important for the origins of life and may have been important early in the history of the Earth. So in a sense Titan is like a window into the past history of the Earth.
Where did life come from?
These sorts of questions are some of the most profound we can ask. It is also important to study many planetary systems as that tells us more about our own planet Earth and helps us understand effects such as space weather and climate change.
What's the history of planetary science?
In more modern times, planetary science began in astronomy, from studies of the unresolved planets.
In this sense, the original planetary astronomer would be Galileo, who discovered the four largest moons of Jupiter, the mountains on the Moon, and first observed the rings of Saturn, all objects of intense later study.
What are the Major careers in Planetary science?
Planetary science jobs are varied and include such challenging professions are the following:-
Planetary scientist.
Astronomer.
Astronaut.
Oceanographer.
Volcanologist.
Seismologist.
Environmental geologist.
Petroleum scientist.
What type of Discipline is necessary for Planetary science?
Planetary science encompasses a broad range of disciplines, including,
Planetary geology (together with geochemistry and geophysics)
Cosmochemistry.
Atmospheric science.
Oceanography.
What does a planetary scientist do?
Planetary scientists work to improve our understanding of the planets, satellites and smaller bodies in the solar system through: Studying the atmospheres, surfaces and interiors of planets, Understanding the origins of planets and the physical processes at work.
What is the study of planetary science?
Planetary science is the scientific study of planets and their planetary systems which includes moons, ring systems, gas clouds, and magnetospheres. It involves understanding how planetary systems formed, how these systems work and how all their components interact.
Does NASA hire astrobiologist?
You should also visit our job board regularly for postdoctoral postings. You can also look through a list of NASA fellowships and opportunities. Now You're An Astrobiologist! There is a wide range of jobs available to astrobiologists besides doing research in a lab or lecturing at a university.
What is a planet scientist called?
A scientist who studies the objects in the sky, including planets, galaxies, black holes, and stars, is called an astronomer.
These days, the terms astronomer and astrophysicist are used interchangeably, to talk about any physicist who specializes in celestial bodies and the forces that affect them.
What is study of space called?
Astronomy
The general field of natural science concerned with celestial objects including Solar System, Galactic and Extragalactic objects. Most of the enrolled students in the field work in this overarching area.
About Earth and planetary science
Earth and planetary science, among many science studies, has unique characteristics. Earth and other planets experience complex interactions among physical processes (atmospheric circulation, mantle convection, etc.
chemical processes (Earth surface weathering, crust formation by magma, etc.) and biological processes (carbon fixation and oxygen release by photosynthetic organisms).
These processes evolve over time. So, study of Earth and planetary science must include research in physics, chemistry and biology. Further, study of the formation of planetary systems and solar activities overlaps astronomy. Thus, Earth and planetary science is unique in that it relates to all other scientific fields and is based on them. This unique relationship makes Earth and planetary science both interesting and challenging.
Our study is directly connected to everyday living, especially the causes and nature of disasters. The results of our research address issues of high public interest such as global warming, earthquake prediction and the like, which means that we have opportunities to make useful contributions in areas that are of concern to our society.
The Department of Earth & Planetary Science was formed in April 2000 by integrating the four departments of Earth & Planetary Physics, Geology, Mineralogy and Geography. So, although it is officially only 8 years old, it actually has a long history; the Geology Department was created at the time of the University's foundation in 1876 as one of the eight departments of the Faculty of Science.
And the Department of Seismology, predecessor of the Department of Earth & Planetary Physics, was established in 1923 following the Great Kanto Earthquake of the same year. At undergraduate level, there are two departments: Earth & Planetary Physics and Earth & Planetary Environmental Science, into the latter of which the Department of Geological Science was reorganized in the spring of 2006.
The Department is based in Hongo, where basic research is conducted. Due to the broad scope of our research, half of the graduate students belong to external institutes such as the Earthquake Research Institute, Ocean Research Institute, Center for Climate System Research, Institute for Solid State Physics, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology.
Laboratory for Earthquake Chemistry and JAXA's Institute of Space & Astronautical Science, and are engaged in the observation of earthquakes, atmosphere, ocean and weather and in the development of planetary probes.
Some graduate students contribute directly to society by forecasting climate changes, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and other potentially disastrous developments and events.
There are five research groups in the Department.
The Atmospheric & Oceanic Science Group studies various aspects of atmospheric circulation and oceans. Especially noteworthy is its research on the impact of the atmosphere ocean interaction on climate and on atmospheric circulation on the planet Venus.
Numeric simulation programs run on the Earth Simulator, the world's largest supercomputer, have produced excellent results, as has ozone layer monitoring conducted in Antarctica, using balloons.
The sphere of study of the Space & Planetary Science Group is the outer reaches of the upper atmosphere. It covers from near-Earth space, such as the auroral region and the terrestrial magnetosphere, to the solar system (planets, comets, sun and meteorites, supernova remnants and the pulsar magnetosphere.
The group launches rockets (Figure 3) and develops planetary probes in cooperation with JAXA's Institute of Space and Astronautical Science. The Group is exploring the frontiers of space science.
The Earth & Planetary System Science Group seeks to identify the physical, chemical and biological interactions that cause various changes and evolutions both in the solar system and here on Planet Earth.
The goal of the group's research is to gain a comprehensive understanding of phenomena that are not covered by existing disciplines. The Department is, in effect, the pivot for all fields in the Department of Earth & Planetary Science.
The Solid Earth Science Group studies earthquakes, volcanic activity, tectonics, geomagnetic changes, etc. The experiments conducted range from small to massive: from material science tests on rocks to global scale simulations of seismic waves and core convections.
The group is participating in a project that will make the deepest probe to date into the sea floor, using the riser drilling vessel ‘Chikyu’.
The Geosphere & Biosphere Science Group focuses on study of the surface of Planet Earth, where all forms of life live. Objects of study include sediments, fossils, living creatures, and bacteria, and the relationship between life and the environment.
Microbe, methane hydrate, and hydrothermal deposits have been investigated by means of research vessels.
Graduate education and career options
The master's course, which is the largest Earth & Planetary Science course in Japan, admits 95 students every year. About 90% of undergraduates of the Earth & Planetary Physics and the Earth & Planetary Environmental Science (Geological Science).
Departments enter the master's course, which also attracts Earth and planetary science students from other universities, as well as students of physics, chemistry, astronomy, engineering, etc.
The curricula are flexible in order to accommodate the diverse backgrounds of students and their research subjects. Many students attend lectures at the particular institutes with which they are associated.
Half of those who finish the master's course go on to the doctoral course, while the remainder pursue practical careers.
There are various employment opportunities. Some students put their learning to practical use, while others may start working in different fields.
A considerable number of students take civil service examinations and join research institutes such as the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology, Japan Meteorological Agency, Geographical Survey Institute, etc.
What's the Future of the Department of Earth & Planetary Science?
Earth and the planets have evolved in a complex manner, affected by interactions among the atmosphere, ocean, solid-earth, biosphere and solar system. Such a system is called a complex system and its development is difficult to predict.
However, forecasting of Earth's environment on various time scales has become increasingly important, and greater expectations are placed on researchers working in the field of Earth and planetary science.
We aim to constantly advance our research activities in order to understand and foresee the evolution of Planet Earth, and especially the mechanisms of its surface environment.
Comments