Planetary science is the scientific study of planets (including Earth), moons, and planetary systems, in particular those

of the Solar System and the processes that form them. It is a strongly interdisciplinary field, originally growing from

astronomy and earth science. Allied disciplines include space physics, when concerned with the effects of the Sun on

the bodies of the Solar System, and astrobiology.
   There are interrelated observational and theoretical branches of planetary science. Observational research can involve a combination of space exploration, predominantly with robotic spacecraft missions using remote sensing, and comparative, experimental work in Earth-based laboratories. The theoretical component involves considerable computer simulation and mathematical modelling.
     Planetary scientists are generally located in the astronomy and physics or earth sciences departments of universities or research centres, though there are several purely planetary science institutes worldwide. There are several major conferences each year, and a wide range of peer-reviewed journals.
     Planetary science is newly developed in China, and SDUW develop the science direction with the help of WUSTL

since 2006 by four steps: 

1.  Sending teacher and students abroad    

(1) Peng Zhang went to WUSTL as a visiting scholar in 2006     

(2) Zongcheng Ling (Lewis) and Jiang Zhang (Clark) went to WUSTL as Exchange Students in 2006     

(3) Zhongchen Wu (Daniel) went to WUSTL as a Visiting Scholar in 2015       
2.  Hosting summer school     

(1) 2007 International Summer School and Workshop on Lunar Science and Data Analysis for Planetary Missions   

(2) 1st Yinghuo-1 Mars Mission Science Data & PDS workshop   

(3) 2nd Yinghuo-1 Mars Mission Science Data & PDS workshop
3.  Introducing through summer semesters
      Since 2008, we have introduced three  planetary courses (i.e.,  Introductory Planetary Science, Planetary Remote Sensing and  Spectroscopy, and Planetary Materials ) from Washington University in  St. Louis. Prof. Ray Arvidson have contributed  a lot for those three coures in the course  contents design, teaching and coordinations. They also help to invite  some other famous planetary scientists from Washington University and other US institutions, who are :                

     Dr. Edward A. Guinness, Dr. Thomas C. Stein, Dr. Kimberly A. Lichtenberg from Washington University;
     Prof. Peter Englert and Prof. Jeffrey J. Gillis-Davis from University of Hawaii;
     Prof. Lin Li from Indiana University- Purdue University; 
     Dr. Yang Liu from California Institute of Technology (Caltec);
     Dr. Kun Wang from Havard University;
     Prof. Mikhail Zolotov from Arizona State University.
Here we declare our great thanks and appreciation to all their  contributions for the set-up of those three planetary courses.       

(1) In 2008,  Planetary Geology and Mineralogy    

Taken by Dr. Edward A. Guinness, Dr. Thomas C. Stein, and Dr. Kimberly A. Lichtenberg,           

Designed and organized by Prof. Raymond Arvidson from WUSTL.   

(2) In 2009, Planetary Remote Sensing and Spectroscopy            

Taken by Dr. Edward A. Guinness, and Prof. Lin Li,           

      

(3) In 2010, Planetary Remote Sensing and Spectroscopy            

Taken by  Prof. Peter Englert, and Prof. Jeffrey J. Gillis-Davis,          

            

(4) In 2015, Planetary Materials            

Taken by Dr. Yang Liu, Dr. Kun Wang,          

     

(5) In 2016, Planetary Materials            

Taken by Dr. Kun Wang, Prof. Mikhail Zolotov,           

  
 
  4. Convert and re-organize to courses of SDUW    

Introductory Planetary Science (from Planetary Geology and Mineralogy)     

Planetary Remote Sensing and Spectroscopy (from Planetary Remote Sensing and Spectroscopy)     

Planetary Materials  (from Planetary Materials )