To become a planetary geologist, one needs a university education in geosciences, astronomy, astrophysics, physics, mathematics, and chemistry. Special summer sessions and graduate programs in astrogeology or exogeology are available, and computer science education is also required.
To become a planetary geologist, the first requirement is to obtain a university education in the field of geosciences that covers the geology of the Earth. Planetary geologist careers are interdisciplinary careers that require education in geoscience and astronomical research fields such as astronomy and astrophysics. This also includes advanced education in physics, mathematics and chemistry, as planetary geology deals exclusively with the physical composition of celestial bodies, as well as their orbital and rotational dynamics. Some space research programs, such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the US, also offer extended education programs for professors, geologists, astrophysicists, or graduate students planning to become a planetary geologist.
A comprehensive approach that could be taken to becoming a planetary geologist would include earning an undergraduate degree in geology and a more advanced degree such as a master’s degree in astrophysics. This would provide a fundamental level of understanding of how geological processes occur on Earth, as well as a sophisticated understanding of the physical properties of celestial bodies. However, because planetary science careers are interdisciplinary, there are many careers in geological and astronomical sciences to become a planetary geologist.
Getting started on the path to meeting planetary geologist requirements can also involve special summer sessions in planetary geology offered by graduate universities across the US. A 2006-listed program at Idaho State University, USA, focuses on planetary geology for teachers in kindergarten through grade 12, as well as for students who specialize in the physical sciences and wish to become a planetary geologist. This involves studying a variety of celestial bodies, from planets and moons to asteroids and comets. The geological aspects of such programs include researching volcanic activity and plate tectonics on planets such as Mars and Venus. To take this course, a student must have completed a foundation course in geology or equivalent study and must be on track to earn a degree in planetary science or natural science.
There are also programs to become a planetary geologist that pair state universities with NASA in the US. One example is the Graduate Research Program in Planetary Geology and Geophysics, in the state of Oregon, starting in 2011, which places graduate students in a mentoring relationship with NASA researchers across the country. Students in US geoscience or astronomy programs who have not yet begun their graduate work are eligible to apply, as are international students from outside the US. The program is an eight-week summer course designed to complement education in planetary and geophysical sciences.
Graduate programs in planetary geology are often referred to as astrogeology or exogeology, and these terms should be used when researching planetary geologist training, as it is a narrow field that is not offered by most university systems. Many areas of the more widely taught basic geological sciences can be obtained from local universities as preparatory work, including studies in mineralogy, petrology and hydrogeology. Current requirements for planetary geologists also focus on some computer science education, as much of the research involves computer modeling and digital mapping of celestial surfaces.
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