Library Guides: Planetary Geology: Get Started

Starting Out

This guide covers the geology, composition, formation history, and water/mineral resources of planets and asteroids within our solar system. Tips:

1) Using keywords like "planetary", "extraterrestrial" or "asteroid," will help keep your search off Earth. "Astrogeology" and "exogeology" are also used. Combine with subjects (regolith, volcano, mining, stratigraphy, etc.).

2) Keep checking for new information. Planetary geology and engineering is an evolving field.

3) Does your subject cross disciplines? Consider searching the literature of chemistry, engineering, mining.

4) Having trouble finding a specific publication? Check with a librarian--Some works (conference proceedings, government reports, etc.) can be difficult to discover.

(Global Geologic Map of Mars, NASA, https://mars.nasa.gov/resources/6435/global-geologic-map-of-mars/)

Top Picks

GeoRef (ProQuest) This link opens in a new window
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The GeoRef database includes thousands of references to publications on planetary geology, including petrology, surface features, geochemistry, and geophysics.
GeoScienceWorld This link opens in a new window
GeoScienceWorld is a primary source for research in the geological and earth sciences. It provides online content from over 45 core peer-reviewed journals and hundreds of ebooks linked in GeoRef.
SciFinder-n This link opens in a new window
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Use CAS SciFinder-n in identifying a chemical substance and its related chemical structures, molecular formula, chemical names, reaction components, regulatory information, and properties, including CAS Registry Numbers®, reaction schemes, step-by-step experimental procedures, detailed conditions, and product yields.

Access Note: Database use is restricted to current Mines-affiliates only and requires an individual user account to access. First-time users must register for an account using your @mines.edu email.
Engineering Village This link opens in a new window
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Inspec includes citations and links to full text on subjects related to physics, electrical engineer, electronics, and geophysics--including planetary sciences and the publications of the American Geophysical Union.