Exoplanetology, or exoplanetary science, is an integrated science related to the study of extrasolar planets or exoplanets. It employs an interdisciplinary approach which includes astrobiology, astrophysics, astronomy, planetary science (planetology), geochemistry, astrochemistry and astrogeology. Exoplanetology deals with the study of extrasolar planets in terms of their physics, biology, geochemistry. 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 the Solar System.
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References
- ^ Interactive Extra-solar Planets Catalog, The Extrasolar Planets Encyclopaedia. updated December 20, 2007. Accessed January 7, 2008.
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