Exoplanetology
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Exoplanetology is an all-embracing term for the sciences related to the study of extrasolar planets or exoplanets. It employs an interdisciplinary approach which include Astrobiology, Astrophysics, Astronomy, Planetary Science (Planetology), Geochemistry, Astrochemistry, and Astrogeology. The discovery of exoplanets in transit in front of their parent star has led to the birth of this burgeoning new field in science. Through June 2009, varying techniques have been used to discover 353 planets outside of our solar system.[1] Being a new field, Exoplanetology currently focuses upon the detection of exoplanets via the "planet-hunting" techniques outlined below. However, as more and more planets are discovered, the field of Exoplanetology continues to grow into a deeper study of extrasolar worlds, and will ultimately tackle the prospect of life on planets beyond our solar system.
See: Methods of detecting extrasolar planets
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ Interactive Extra-solar Planets Catalog, The Extrasolar Planets Encyclopaedia. updated December 20, 2007. Accessed January 7, 2008.
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