Division on Planetary and Solar System Sciences
President: Athena Coustenis, Athena.Coustenis@obspm.fr
Vice-President: Iannis Dandouras, iannis.dandouras@cesr.fr
Vice-President: Agustin Chicarro, agustin.chicarro@esa.int
Planetary science is the scientific study of planets (including Earth, our own home planet), natural satellites, and planetary systems, in particular those of the Solar System like rings and the magnetospheric interactions, as well as the processes that form and sustain them. It studies objects ranging in size from micrometeoroids and far-away dwarf planets (like Pluto) to gas giants (Jupiter and Saturn) or ice giants (Uranus and Neptune) aiming to determine their composition, dynamics, formation, interrelations and evolution.
Planetology is a strongly interdisciplinary field, originally growing from astronomy and earth science, but which now incorporates many disciplines, including planetary astronomy, planetary geology (together with geochemistry and geophysics), physical geography (geomorphology and cartography as applied to planets), atmospheric science, theoretical planetary science, and the study of extrasolar planets. Allied disciplines include space physics, when concerned with the effects of the Sun on the bodies of the Solar System, and astrobiology.
There are interrelated observational and theoretical branches of planetary science. Observational research can involve a combination of space exploration, predominantly with robotic spacecraft missions using remote sensing, and comparative, experimental work in Earth-based laboratories. The theoretical component involves considerable computer simulation and mathematical modelling.
The aim of the Planetary & Solar System Sciences Division of the EGU is the promotion of all fields of planetary sciences, ground-based and space mission exploration of the solar system and beyond, and related models. PS covers papers on both fundamental and applied topics regarding the exploration of the Solar System. The Division, devoted to Science applications in Space, hosts interdisciplinary contributions on the origins and the evolution of the Solar System and the exoplanetary Systems, as well as ideas for future exploration while largely contributing to outreach and educational activities for all audiences.
