Key Concepts in Planetary Science

Planetary science studies planets, moons, and other objects in our solar system and beyond. It examines their formation, composition, geology, atmospheres, and potential for life. Planets form from dust and gas in a star’s leftover material, evolving over billions of years. Key concepts include planetary layers (core, mantle, crust), tectonic activity, atmospheric conditions, and orbital dynamics. Scientists use telescopes and space missions to understand planetary histories, climates, and surfaces. This helps us learn about Earth's place in the universe and assess planetary environments, including the possibility of habitable worlds elsewhere.