The scopes of W&T8 encompass fundamental research in the field of Earth and Space Sciences.

Space Science includes the whole field of astronomy, and more specific research on cosmology, origin and evolution of galaxies, stars and star systems, planetary sciences, meteorites, as well as solar, heliospheric and interplanetary physics.

Earth Sciences cover the disciplines of meteorology, climatology and paleoclimatology, petrology, mineralogy, geochemistry, geophysics and paleomagnetism, geology, sedimentology, stratigraphy, soil sciences, archeometry and geoarcheology, oceanography and marine geology, physical geography, cartography and geoinformation sciences. Research at the interface between Earth and Biological Sciences should through its goal, content and methodology focus on physical and/or chemical processes that affect the Earth or the Earth's environment, or address the evolution of various processes through geological time. Modern ecology falls out of the scope of W&T8.

• Stars and stellar systems
• Planetary sciences, solar systems and meteorites
• Solar, heliospheric and interplanetary physics
• Galaxies (formation and evolution)
• Cosmology
• Petrology and mineralogy
• Geochemistry
• Geology (incl. applied, economic, structural, hydro, environmental)
• Sedimentology
• Paleontology and stratigraphy
• Soil sciences
• Paleoenvironment, paleoclimate
• Archeometry and geoarcheology
• Oceanography and marine geology
• Meteorology and atmospheric sciences
• Climatology and climate modelling
• Physical geography (incl. geomorphology, hydrography)
• Geophysics, Geomagnetism, paleomagnetism
• Cartography / geoinformation science