Giant impact research is a field of study within planetary science that focuses on understanding the formation and evolution of planets through catastrophic collisions known as giant impacts. These events involve massive bodies such as protoplanets or planetesimals colliding with each other, leading to significant changes in the composition, structure, and dynamics of the planets involved. Giant impact research is important for understanding the origins of planetary systems, the formation of moons, and the influence of collisions on planetary evolution. This area of research is often investigated through computer simulations, laboratory experiments, and studies of impact craters on planetary surfaces.