Planetary science is the scientific study of planets, moons, and planetary systems, in particular those of the Solar System and the processes that form them. It studies objects ranging in size from micrometeoroids to gas giants, aiming to determine their composition, dynamics, formation, interrelations and history. It is a strongly interdisciplinary field, originally growing from astronomy and earth science, but which now incorporates many disciplines, including planetary astronomy, planetary geology (together with geochemistry and geophysics), physical geography (geomorphology and cartography as applied to planets), atmospheric science, theoretical planetary science, and the study of extrasolar planets. Allied disciplines include space physics, when concerned with the effects of the Sun on the bodies of the Solar System, and astrobiology.
Research Interests:
Thermal evolution of terrestrial planets, mainly planetary mantles, main objects of interests are the Moon and Mercury, lately also Mars and smaller exoplanets (like Corot7b), thermal evolution is investigated numerically by constructing a numerical model and observing various parameters evolve.
Differentiation (= core formation) of terrestrial planets and small objects, investigation by numercical models, too, but different code than above.
