The study of planets as whole, integrated systems—their formation, composition, atmospheres, magnetic fields, and potential for life. It combines geology, atmospheric science, oceanography, and astronomy to understand worlds both in our solar system and beyond. It answers questions like: Why does Mars have such a thin atmosphere? What drives Jupiter's storms? Could there be an ocean under Enceladus's ice? It's the essential reconnaissance before any technology or engineering can be deployed.
Example: "He's a planetary scientist. His big discovery was that the methane spikes on Mars were seasonal and correlated with subsurface salt deposits, suggesting geological, not biological, origins. He crushed a million sci-fi dreams with a single graph, but earned a lifetime of free drinks from NASA." Planetary Sciences
by Abzugal January 30, 2026
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