Planetaristik

Planetaristik is a field of study focused on planets, their origins, evolution, internal structure, surfaces, atmospheres, and magnetospheres, including both planets in the solar system and exoplanets beyond it. The aim is to understand planetary diversity, the processes that shape worlds, and their potential to support life.

Its core topics include planet formation theories (accretion and disk evolution), planetary interiors and geophysics, atmospheric chemistry and dynamics, surface geology, volcanism and tectonics, and the study of planetary magnetic fields and climate. Habitability and biosignatures are central in comparing worlds.

Methods combine remote sensing, spectroscopy, in situ measurements from spacecraft, laboratory experiments, and theoretical modeling with numerical simulations. Planetaristik draws on astronomy, geology, atmospheric science, and oceanography to develop a comparative framework across planetary systems.

Historically, the field emerged from early telescopic observations of planets in the solar system and expanded with space missions and exoplanet surveys. Today, Planetaristik relies on data from telescopes, orbiters, landers, and computer models to test formation scenarios and assess the prevalence of potentially habitable environments.