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Tholins are organic molecules formed by solar ultraviolet or cosmic rays irradiating simple organic compounds such as methane and ethane. They are significant in the study of prebiotic chemistry and potential life on other planets.

Orogeny refers to the process that forms all mountain ranges, and involves a variety of geological processes, including tectonic plate movements. It is significant for understanding mountain formation and continental drift.

Regolith is a layer of loose, heterogeneous material covering solid rock. It is important because it contains clues about the history of the surface body and is a key consideration for lander and rover missions.

The lithosphere is the rigid outer layer of a planetary body, which is divided into tectonic plates in some planets like Earth. It's key in the study of planetary geology and tectonic activity.

Outgassing is the release of gas that was dissolved, trapped, frozen, or absorbed in some material, particularly the release of volatile compounds from a planet's interior into its atmosphere. It's crucial for atmosphere formation and evolution.

A subduction zone is a region where one lithospheric plate moves under another and is forced or sinks due to gravity into the mantle. It's significant as it's a site for intense geologic activity, including earthquakes and volcanoes.

Differential erosion is the process by which different physical or chemical composition of rocks leads to varying rates of erosion, which shapes the landscape. It's significant in analyzing planetary surface processes and landscape formation.

Mantle plumes are areas of hot, upwelling mantle material that can form hot spots and lead to volcanic activity. Understanding them is important for the study of planetary heat transfer and interior processes.

Cryovolcanism refers to the eruption of ice and other volatiles instead of molten rock. It is significant as it indicates the presence of subsurface oceans and has implications for astrobiology.

A magnetosphere is the region around a planet dominated by the planet's magnetic field. It protects the planetary surface from solar wind and is vital for conditions that could support life.

Areography is the study of Mars's geography and is analogous to geology on Earth. It provides us with information about the Martian surface and its past environments.

A tessera is a complex area of hilly terrain on Venus characterized by multiple intersecting ridges and grooves. These formations are important for understanding the geological history and tectonic activity of Venus.

Planetary differentiation is the process by which a planet becomes internally separated into layers of different composition and density. This process is significant as it can determine the geological and magnetic activity of a planet.

Selenology is the study of the Moon's geology. It helps us understand not just the Moon's composition and surface processes, but also wider solar system history.

A mare refers to a large, dark plain of basalt on the Moon formed by ancient volcanic eruptions. They are significant as they help us understand the Moon's geologic and volcanic history.

Sedimentology is the study of natural sediments and the processes that result in their deposition. It helps in interpreting past environments and understanding the deposition processes on planetary surfaces.

Continental crust is the thick part of the Earth's crust that forms the large landmasses. It's less dense than oceanic crust and plays a role in plate tectonics and the rock cycle.

The cryosphere refers to the frozen water part of the Earth and other planetary bodies' systems, including ice caps, glaciers, and sea ice. It is important for studying climate dynamics and the potential for life in frozen environments.

An impact crater is a circular depression on a surface of a planet, moon, or other body in the solar system, formed by the high-speed impact of a meteoroid. It's significant in understanding the frequency and scale of past collisions.