astrogeologist
Studies extraterrestrial rocks
An astrogeologist studies the geology of celestial bodies other than Earth—the rocks, minerals, surface features, and geological processes of planets, moons, asteroids, and comets.
The field combines geology with planetary science: Astrogeologists analyzed the lunar samples brought back by Apollo missions.
NASA employs astrogeologists to study Mars terrain and select landing sites.
Impact or volcanic basin
- regolithFragmented covering over bedrock
- meteoriteSpace debris reaching Earth
- moonNatural planetary satellite
- marsTo impair quality
titan · vesta · asteroid · comet · ejecta · mare · highlands · dust
Science of inorganic solids
- stratigraphyStudy of rock layers
- crystallographyStudy of atomic lattices
- geochronologyStudy of geological ages
- igneousFormed from cooled magma
sedimentary · metamorphic · basalt · olivine · pyroxene · feldspar · agglutinate · zircon
Organized exploratory journey
- mappingDiagram of correspondences
- surveySystematic data collection
- terrainLand's physical features
- drillingHole-making by rotation
prospecting · rover · lander · traverse · documentation · instrumentation · spectrometer
Erupted liquid stone
- eruptionViolent sudden release
- calderaCollapsed volcanic summit basin
- magmaMolten rock underground
- basaltFine-grained volcanic stone
pyroclastic · vent · flow · tube · outgassing · effusive · explosive · hotspot
Studies planetary physical processes
- petrologistScientist studying rock composition
- selenologistMoon surface researcher
- volcanologistScientist studying erupting mountains
- researcherOne who studies systematically
crater
Impact or volcanic basin
- regolithFragmented covering over bedrock
- meteoriteSpace debris reaching Earth
- moonNatural planetary satellite
mars · titan · vesta · asteroid · comet · ejecta · mare · highlands · dust · breccia
mineralogy
Science of inorganic solids
- stratigraphyStudy of rock layers
- crystallographyStudy of atomic lattices
- geochronologyStudy of geological ages
igneous · sedimentary · metamorphic · basalt · olivine · pyroxene · feldspar · agglutinate · zircon · isotope
expedition
Organized exploratory journey
drilling · prospecting · rover · lander · traverse · documentation · instrumentation · spectrometer
lava
Erupted liquid stone
basalt · pyroclastic · vent · flow · tube · outgassing · effusive · explosive · hotspot
geophysicist
Studies planetary physical processes
- petrologistScientist studying rock composition
- selenologistMoon surface researcher
- volcanologistScientist studying erupting mountains
researcher · NASA · ESA
astronaut, astronomy, geology, astronomical, astronomer, astrologer, geologist, geologic, astrophysics