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Planetary Science explores the formation, evolution, and habitability of planets and planetary systems. At Wesleyan, the program brings together Astronomy and Earth & Environmental Sciences, combining the perspectives and methods of both disciplines to investigate worlds within and beyond our solar system.

Students connect classroom learning with observation, fieldwork, laboratory investigation, remote sensing, data analysis, and computational modeling. Along the way, they work alongside faculty exploring topics that range from exoplanets and planetary geology to cosmochemistry, astrobiology, and the search for habitable worlds.

An Interdisciplinary Program

Planetary Science is offered collaboratively through Astronomy and Earth & Environmental Sciences. Students build a foundation across both disciplines while drawing on expertise, facilities, and research opportunities throughout Wesleyan’s scientific community.