Planetary science: Linking Earth's geology, Mars, TNOs and resilience

Understanding the processes that shape our planet often provides a key to deciphering the mysteries of distant worlds, connecting terrestrial geology to space exploration. Planetary science analyzes rock formations that narrate stories of millions of years, observes celestial bodies at the edges of the solar system, and makes science accessible to communities. This vast field of research is not limited to studying the composition and evolution of celestial bodies. It also includes how these discoveries can inform and prepare human societies for the environmental challenges of our own world, uniting past, present, and future.

Geological Memories and Planetary Morphologies

The Vasquez Rocks in California offer extraordinary evidence of terrestrial geological forces, with sedimentary layers rising from the Soledad Basin at an average inclination of 50 degrees. These formations date back 25 million years. They are the result of sediment accumulation in ancient alluvial fans, cone-shaped deposits formed by fast-flowing watercourses emptying into plains. Subsequently, these rocks were folded and uplifted by intense tectonic activity along the San Andreas Fault, a strike-slip fault where tectonic plates move horizontally relative to each other. This terrestrial dynamism contrasts with conditions on Mars, where similar processes of aeolian erosion and deposition shape the landscape in different, yet equally significant, ways.

On the Red Planet, NASA’s Curiosity rover has surpassed 5,000 Martian days, or sols, a remarkable milestone since its landing, which translates to over 5,137 Earth days. During its mission, the rover has climbed over 1,000 meters in altitude from its landing site in Gale Crater. This ascent is nearly ten times the 106-meter climb of the Spirit rover on Husband Hill in 2005. Currently, Curiosity is examining a large sand ripple called “Chocolatal,” formed by wind. Scientists are investigating whether it is a “transverse aeolian ridge” (TAR). They are also researching whether its granular composition differs from those observed at lower elevations.

The analysis of these Martian structures, which raises questions about their formation, migration, and stabilization, finds a surprising echo in the study of much more distant bodies. Trans-Neptunian Objects (TNOs) examined by the Hubble and Webb space telescopes, for example, seem to “remember” their primordial composition. While the Vasquez Rocks are constantly reshaped by tectonic and weather forces, and Martian dunes can migrate, TNOs maintain the same colorations as when they formed. This suggests that collisions have not significantly altered their surfaces, preserving a signature of the initial conditions of the solar system.

Planetary Science and the Origin of Worlds

The joint investigation by the Hubble and James Webb space telescopes on TNOs has revealed unexpected details about planetary formation. Scientists used Hubble’s visible light and Webb’s infrared to study 27 new small and faint TNOs. They discovered that there are fewer of them than predicted by some planetary formation models. The smallest TNO observed has a diameter of about 5 kilometers, a size five times smaller than what the most sensitive terrestrial telescopes can detect. These icy bodies, orbiting beyond Neptune, represent the primary “building blocks” of planets, offering a window into the early stages of solar system construction.

The collected data showed that “hot” TNOs exhibit similar size distributions and surface compositions. Hot TNOs were pushed outwards by the migration of gas giants. “Cold” TNOs, which remained in their original, more circular orbits, show similar distributions. This uniformity suggests that the planetesimal formation process might have been insensitive to the conditions of the protoplanetary disk. The disk is a disk of dust and gas surrounding a young star and produced similar sizes regardless of temperature or density. The ability of these objects to preserve their original characteristics is crucial data for understanding the evolution of our cosmic neighborhood.

The preservation of primordial characteristics in TNOs provides a direct signature of the solar system’s formation conditions.

However, while scientists look to the distant past of the solar system, other NASA research focuses on the immediate future of our planet. The Sea Level Education, Awareness, and Literacy (SEAL) project is committed to connecting sea level rise data with coastal communities. The project particularly focuses on historically underserved and already impacted communities. On June 6, 2026, over 1,000 visitors participated in an event at the University of Georgia Aquarium. An augmented reality sandbox showed NASA projections on sea level rise and resilience strategies. Participants experimented with solutions such as adding dunes or relocating homes.

From Rock to Climate: The Commitment to Resilience

Martian exploration continues to provide valuable details on the geology of other worlds, using advanced instruments to analyze the composition of rocks and soil. The Curiosity rover, for example, employs the ChemCam Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) instrument, which vaporizes small portions of rock with a laser to analyze their chemical composition, and the Remote Micro Imager (RMI), a high-resolution close-up camera. Mosaics from the Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) are used to study stratification and grain size within excavated trenches. MAHLI acquires detailed macroscopic images of the soil and rocks, providing crucial data to distinguish different phases of geological formation and alteration. This level of detail is fundamental for comparing Martian processes with the tectonic and erosional dynamics that shaped the Vasquez Rocks on Earth.

The commitment to understanding geological and climatic complexities also extends to public education. The SEAL project allowed educators to take home four different lesson plans. The plans explore sea level rise processes, modeling, and impacts through NASA data and interactive STEM activities. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. During the World Oceans Day event, participants played “Tumbling Tower,” a game that simulates the impacts of rising seas. They created “sea level friendship bracelets” using colored beads to represent observed sea level rise along local coastlines.

The use of advanced instruments and the dissemination of scientific knowledge are pillars of planetary understanding.

These efforts demonstrate how planetary science is not just an academic study. Rather, it is an endeavor that connects the observation of Martian dunes and distant celestial objects to daily life on Earth. Scientific research provides the basis for addressing challenges related to rock deformation under tectonic pressure, as seen in the Vasquez Rocks. Research also helps prepare coastal communities for the effects of climate change. Continued exploration and dissemination of scientific data remain essential for a more informed and resilient future, tackling challenges that range from the cosmic to the terrestrial.

Sources: