convener:Hidenori Terasaki(Faculty of Science, Okayama University), Eiji Ohtani(Department of Earth and Planetary Materials Science, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University), Gerd Steinle-Neumann(Bayerisches Geoinstitut, Universitaet Bayreuth), William F McDonough(Department of Earth Science and Research Center for Neutrino Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8578, Japan)

There are fundamental links between the formation and evolution of planets and their satellites to that of their cores both in terms of magnetic field generation and chemical and physical structure. Defining physical and chemical properties of the cores and core materials of these terrestrial bodies are therefore fundamental for understanding their internal structures and thermal profile. Recent advances in experimental and theoretical studies provide new insights into the Earth's cores and other terrestrial bodies, including the role of light elements in the early history of planets and at current times. Recent, current and future space missions have and will continue to obtain data on the internal structure of terrestrial planets (e.g., Mars and Mercury) and planet-satellite systems. We anticipate presentations on recent advances on the physical and chemical properties of cores and discussions regarding the latest views of their formation and evolution. We welcome contributions from mineral/rock physics, geophysics, geochemistry, geodynamics, and planetary science.