Refractory (planetary science)

In planetary science, any material that has a relatively high equilibrium condensation temperature is called refractory.[1] The opposite of refractory is volatile.

The refractory group includes elements and compounds like metals and silicates (commonly termed rocks) which make up the bulk of the mass of the terrestrial planets and asteroids in the inner belt. A fraction of the mass of other asteroids, giant planets, their moons and trans-Neptunian objects is also made of refractory materials.[2]

  1. ^ Taylor, Stuart Ross (2001). Solar system evolution: a new perspective : an inquiry into the chemical composition, origin, and evolution of the solar system. Cambridge University Press. pp. 73–75. ISBN 978-0-521-64130-2.
  2. ^ Beatty, J. Kelly (1999). Beatty, J. Kelly; Petersen, Carolyn Collins; Chaikin, Andrew (eds.). The new solar system. Cambridge University Press. pp. 314–315. ISBN 978-0-521-64587-4.