Astrophysics & Particle Physics-APPC 2026

Planetary Science is the scientific examination of planets, moons, and other bodies within and outside our solar system. It involves the study of planetary development, structure, composition, atmospheres, and dynamic processes, integrating knowledge from astronomy, geology, physics, and chemistry. This multi-disciplinary discipline informs us about the formation and development of planetary systems over time. Planetary formation, or how planets condense from gas and dust protoplanetary disks surrounding nascent stars, is a main area of concern in planetary science. Scientists examine a range of celestial objects, ranging from terrestrial planets like Earth and Mars to gas giants Jupiter and Saturn and ice giants Uranus and Neptune.

Moreover, the investigation of moons, asteroids, and comets gives important clues on the early solar system and the stuff that made the planets form.Planetary scientists study surface geology, such as volcanism, tectonics, erosion, and impact cratering, and atmospheric composition and climate. Comparative planetology enables scientists to distinguish patterns and differences between planets and moons and to provide insights into Earth's history and possibilities for life elsewhere.Space missions are essential to the development of planetary science. Mars, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, and other body robotic missions offer precise information on planetary surfaces, atmospheres, and magnetic fields. Instruments on orbiters, landers, and rovers measure chemical composition, climate conditions, and geological features, enhancing our understanding of planetary processes.Planetary science also extends to exoplanets, enabling comparisons between our solar system and distant planetary systems. By examining both nearby and distant planets, researchers seek to illuminate basic questions about planet formation and evolution and the possibility of life on Earth-like planets elsewhere in the universe.Continued observation, experiment, and modeling by planetary science progressively unveil the diversity and complexity of planets and moons and yield crucial information about the origins and fate of our solar system and the cosmos as a whole.