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Planetary geology
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Planetary geologist and NASA astronaut Harrison "Jack" Schmitt collecting lunar samples during the Apollo 17 mission
Surface of Mars as photographed by the Viking 2 lander December 9, 1977.
Planetary geology, alternatively 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. Although the geo- prefix typically indicates topics of or relating to the Earth, planetary geology is named as such for historical and convenience reasons; applying geological science to other planetary bodies. Due to the types of investigations involved, it is also closely linked with Earth-based geology.Planetary geology includes such topics as determining the internal structure of the terrestrial planets, and also looks at planetary volcanism and surface processes such as impact craters, fluvial and aeolian processes. The structures of the giant planets and their moons are also examined, as is the make-up of the minor bodies of the Solar System, such as asteroids, the Kuiper Belt, and comets.
^ "What is planetary geology?". James F. Bell III (Cornell University), Bruce A. Campbell (Smithsonian Institution), Mark S. Robinson (U.S. Geological Survey). Retrieved 6 October 2015.
^ "GEOL212: Planetary Geology Fall 2015". University of Maryland Department of Geology. Retrieved 6 October 2015.
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