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Planetary Science Facts & Worksheets

The study of planets and their planetary systems, including their moons, rings, gas clouds, and magnetospheres, is known as planetary science.

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The study of planets and their planetary systems, including their moons, rings, gas clouds, and magnetospheres, is known as planetary science. It entails comprehending how planetary systems were created, how they function, and how their constituent parts interact. This interdisciplinary field has elements of astronomy, atmospheric science, geology, space physics, biology, and chemistry. 

See the fact file below for more information about Planetary Science, or you can download our 27-page Planetary Science worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

PLANETARY SCIENCE

  • The study of planets (including Earth), moons, and planetary systems in general, and those of the Solar System in particular, as well as the processes that shape them, is known as planetary science (rarely planetology). 
  • The research aims to understand the composition, behavior, production, interactions, and histories of objects ranging in size from microscopic meteoroids to gas giants.
  • It is a very interdisciplinary field that originated in astronomy and earth science and has since expanded to include many other areas, such as planetary astronomy, planetary geology (along with geochemistry and geophysics), oceanography, glaciology, atmospheric science, hydrology, theoretical planetary science, and the study of extrasolar planets. 
  • Aside from astronomy, other fields of study include astrobiology and space physics, which study how the Sun affects the bodies of the Solar System.
  • Planetary science has both theoretical and observational subfields related to one another. 
  • Space exploration, typically with robotic spacecraft missions using remote sensing, and comparative experimental work in Earth laboratories can be a part of observational research. Significant computer simulation and mathematical modeling are used in the theoretical part.
  • Although there are a few purely planetary science institutes worldwide, planetary scientists are typically found in universities or research institutions’ astronomy and physics or earth sciences departments. 
  • There are numerous significant conferences and many different peer-reviewed journals each year.

HISTORY

  • It can be stated that Democritus, an ancient Greek philosopher whom Hippolytus mentions, is the father of planetary science.
  • Planetary science was first studied in astronomy in more recent times, starting with the unresolved planets. 
  • Galileo, who found the Moon’s highlands, the four largest moons of Jupiter, and the first to examine Saturn’s rings, would be considered the first planetary astronomer in this sense. 
  • The study of extraterrestrial landscapes was first initiated by Galileo’s exploration of the lunar highlands in 1609 when he noted that the Moon “certainly does not possess a smooth and polished surface,” raising the possibility that it and other planets might resemble “the face of the Earth itself.”
  • As telescope design and instrument resolution improved, it became easier to identify surface and atmosphere characteristics on the planets. 
  • Due to its close vicinity to Earth and its intricate surface features, the Moon was first the subject of extensive research.
  • As technology advanced, we progressively better understood the lunar geology. Astronomical optical telescopes (and later radio telescopes) and robotic exploration spacecraft, such as space probes, served as the primary tools in this scientific process.
  • The Solar System is well explored, and there is a decent broad understanding of its genesis and evolution. However, there are many unanswered questions, and the rate of discoveries is relatively rapid, thanks in part to the vast number of interplanetary spacecraft now exploring the Solar System.

DISCIPLINES

  • Planetary science is a vast and interdisciplinary field that studies all celestial bodies that orbit stars, such as planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and exoplanets. 
  • Planetary scientists examine these objects using various equipment and techniques, including ground- and space-based telescopes, robotic spacecraft missions, and laboratory research.
  • Planetary astronomy: This discipline focuses on the observational study of planets and other celestial bodies using telescopes and other astronomical instruments. 
  • Planetary astronomers study the physical properties of planets, such as their size, mass, density, and composition, as well as their dynamics, such as their orbits and rotations.
  • Planetary geology: This discipline studies the solid surfaces of planets and moons. Planetary geologists study the composition, structure, and processes that shape planetary surfaces, such as volcanism, tectonics, and erosion.
  • Planetary atmospheric science: This discipline studies the atmospheres of planets and moons. Planetary atmospheric scientists study the composition, structure, and dynamics of planetary atmospheres and the interactions between the atmosphere and the surface.
  • Planetary oceanography: This discipline studies the oceans of planets and moons. Planetary oceanographers study planetary oceans’ physical, chemical, and biological properties and their interactions with the atmosphere and the solid surface.
  • Exoplanetology: This discipline studies planets outside of our solar system. Exoplanets are detected using various methods, including direct imaging, transit photometry, and radial velocity measurements. 
  • Exoplanetologists study the physical properties of exoplanets, such as their size, mass, and composition, as well as their orbits and potential habitability.
  • In addition to these fundamental disciplines, planetary science incorporates aspects of other fields, such as chemistry, physics, biology, and mathematics. 
  • Planetary scientists use various tools and techniques from these fields to study planets and other celestial bodies. Planetary science is rapidly evolving, and discoveries are continually being made.

FUN FACTS

  • Jupiter, the Solar System’s vast planet, is so massive that it could hold nearly 1,300 Earths.
  • Venus, the Solar System’s hottest planet, boasts surface temperatures exceeding 800 °F. That’s enough heat to melt lead!
  • Neptune’s coldest planet in our Solar System has a surface temperature of around -350 °F. That’s cold enough to freeze methane gas!
  • Venus has the longest day in our Solar System, taking 243 Earth days to rotate once on its axis.
  • The shortest day in our Solar System belongs to Jupiter, which rotates once on its axis in just 10 hours.
  • Saturn‘s rings comprise billions of tiny particles of ice and rock.
  • Mars is the only planet in our Solar System with evidence of liquid water on the surface.
  • Europa, a moon of Jupiter, is thought to have a subsurface ocean that may be habitable for life.
  • Titan, a moon of Saturn, is the only known Moon in our Solar System with a thick atmosphere.
  • Pluto, a dwarf planet, has a heart-shaped feature on its surface.
  • Comets consist of ice, dust, and rock and are thought to be leftovers from the formation of our Solar System.
  • Asteroids are tiny rocky bodies that revolve around the Sun.

Planetary Science Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Planetary Science across 27 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Planetary Science. It entails comprehending how planetary systems were created, how they function, and how their constituent parts interact. This interdisciplinary field has elements of astronomy, atmospheric science, geology, space physics, biology, and chemistry. 

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Planetary Science Facts
  2. Planet Profile
  3. Did You Know?
  4. The G-O-A-T!
  5. Our Solar System
  6. Areas of Planetology
  7. Terrestrial vs. Exoplanet
  8. Planetary Motion
  9. Planetary Phases
  10. Space Probes
  11. Planet Model

Frequently Asked Questions

What is planetary science?

Planetary science is a field of scientific study that focuses on understanding the formation, evolution, and dynamics of planets and other celestial bodies within our solar system and beyond. It encompasses the study of planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and other objects in space, as well as the physical and chemical processes that shape these bodies.

What is the difference between a planet and a dwarf planet?

The distinction between a planet and a dwarf planet is based on specific criteria established by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). To be considered a planet, an object must meet three criteria: it must orbit the Sun, be spherical in shape due to its own gravity, and have cleared its orbital path of other debris. If an object meets the first two criteria but has not cleared its orbital path, it is classified as a dwarf planet. Pluto, for example, is a well-known dwarf planet in our solar system.

How do scientists study the geology of planets and moons?

Scientists study the geology of planets and moons using a variety of methods, including spacecraft missions, telescopic observations, and remote sensing techniques. Spacecraft missions, such as those from NASA and other space agencies, provide valuable data by sending instruments to the surfaces of planets or moons. Telescopes and remote sensing instruments on spacecraft can analyze the composition, topography, and geological features of these bodies from a distance. Additionally, computer modeling and laboratory experiments help scientists interpret data and understand the geological processes at work on these celestial bodies.

What is the importance of studying planetary atmospheres?

The study of planetary atmospheres is crucial for understanding a planet’s climate, weather, and potential habitability. By examining the composition and behavior of a planet’s atmosphere, scientists can gain insights into its past and present conditions. For example, the study of Earth’s atmosphere has been essential in understanding climate change and its impacts. Similarly, the study of other planetary atmospheres, like Mars or Venus, helps scientists learn about the history and potential habitability of these worlds.

How are exoplanets discovered, and why are they important in planetary science?

Exoplanets are planets that orbit stars outside our solar system. They are discovered using various methods, including the transit method (observing a planet passing in front of its host star), the radial velocity method (measuring a star’s wobble caused by an orbiting planet), and direct imaging (capturing images of distant planets). Exoplanet research is essential because it expands our understanding of planetary diversity and the potential for habitable worlds beyond our solar system. It allows scientists to study a wide range of planetary conditions and systems, which can inform our understanding of planet formation and the potential for extraterrestrial life.

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Link will appear as Planetary Science Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, November 9, 2023

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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