- Branche: Astronomy
- Number of terms: 6727
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Planetary Science Research Discoveries (PSRD) is an educational site sharing the latest research by NASA-sponsored scientists on meteorites, asteroids, planets, moons, and other materials in our Solar System. The website is supported by the Cosmochemistry Program of NASA's Science Mission ...
The splitting apart of a molecule into its consituent atoms. For example, the splitting of carbon monoxide into carbon and oxygen or the splitting of water into hydrogen and oxygen when struck by ultraviolet radiation.
Industry:Astronomy
The study of spectra. Every atom can only emit or absorb certain energies or wavelengths. Scientists use instruments called spectrometers to study the location and spacing of reflectance, emission, and absorption (spectral) lines in specific wavelengths to detect any atoms or molecules that may be present in a target material (such as minerals on the surface of the Moon or a planet).
Industry:Astronomy
The standard unit of pressure is the pascal, abbreviated Pa, which is equivalent to 1 kg/m<sup>2</sup>. The pressure at the surface of the Earth is 100,000 Pa. Pressures inside planets are very large numbers, usually expressed as GPa (giga means billion).
Industry:Astronomy
Sensitive scientific instrument used to measure the intensity at various points of Earth's (or another planetary body's) magnetic field.
Industry:Astronomy
The forceful striking of one body, such as a meteorite, against another body such as a moon or planet.
Industry:Astronomy
Two or more varieties of the same chemical element. Isotopes have different masses because they have different numbers of neutrons (for example <sup>18</sup>O and <sup>16</sup>O), thus they have different physical and chemical properties. Unstable isotopes undergo radioactive decay.
Industry:Astronomy
Chemical zonation caused by differences in the densities of minerals; heavy materials sink, less dense materials float. Differentiation transforms an initially homogeneous body into a body with compositionally distinct core, mantle, and crust.
Industry:Astronomy
The region around Earth dominated by Earth's magnetic field. In this region, the Earth's magnetic field lines guide the motions of charged particles (ions and electrons).
Industry:Astronomy
Mountain formed from the eruption of igneous matter through a source vent.
Industry:Astronomy
