Fields
Astrogeology
Astrogeology, or planetary geology, studies the geological processes operating on solid bodies throughout the solar system including the Moon, Mars, Venus, asteroids, and icy moons. Researchers analyse surface morphology, mineralogical composition, impact cratering records, volcanic landforms, and interior structure to reconstruct the formation and evolution of planetary bodies and to assess their habitability or resource potential. Core subfields include planetary volcanology, regolith science (the study of loose surface material), impact cratering mechanics, planetary geomorphology, and the mineralogy of planetary surfaces. Key technologies encompass orbital imaging spectrometers, ground-penetrating planetary radar, rover-mounted X-ray diffractometers (XRD), synthetic aperture radar, and isotope geochemistry of returned or meteoritic samples. Astrogeology is central to planetary exploration mission planning and science return. Funding comes primarily from NASA, ESA, JAXA, and national space agencies, with growing commercial interest in asteroid and lunar resource assessment.
Details
- Avg Funding
- $500,000/year
- Key Technologies
- orbital spectroscopyplanetary radarrover-mounted XRDremote sensingisotope geochemistry
- Subfields
- planetary volcanologyimpact crateringplanetary geomorphologyregolith sciencemineralogy of planetary surfaces
- Top Institutions
- USGS Astrogeology Science CenterJPL-CaltechETH ZurichBrown UniversityJAXA ISAS