planetology

[ plan-i-tol-uh-jee ]

noun

1. the branch of astronomy that deals with the physical features of the planets.

planetology

/ ˌplænɪˈtɒlədʒɪ /

noun

1. astronomy the study of the origin, composition, and distribution of matter in the planets

Other Words From

• plan·e·to·log·i·cal [plan-i-tl-, oj, -i-k, uh, l], adjective
• planetolo·gist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of planetology¹

First recorded in 1905–10; planet + -o- + -logy

Example Sentences

"After reading about so much anxiety and depression in academia, and as someone who loves both planetary science and psychology, I felt like I needed to do something because there are so many people suffering," said David Trang, an assistant researcher in the Hawai'i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology in the UH Manoa School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology at the time of this research and graduate student in the master's in counseling psychology program at UH Hilo.

From Science Daily

“We don’t really understand the reason for these variations,” says Pierre-Yves Meslin, a planetary scientist at the Research Institute in Astrophysics and Planetology.

From Science Magazine

"We are interested in studying shear deformation on icy moons because that type of faulting can facilitate the exchange of surface and subsurface materials through shear heating processes, potentially creating environments conducive for the emergence of life," said Liliane Burkhard, lead author of the studies and research affiliate at the Hawai'i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology in the UH Manoa School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology.

From Science Daily

“It is like looking at our own past,” said Myriam Benisty, an astronomer at the Institute of Planetology and Astrophysics of Grenoble in France and a co-author of the study.

From New York Times

As a matter of comparative planetology, Venus is an intriguing target for intensive study.

From Slate