Giant Planets of Our Solar System: An Introduction (Springer Praxis Books / Astronomy and Planetary Sciences)

This book reviews the current state of knowledge of the atmospheres of the giant gaseous planets: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. The current theories of their formation are reviewed and their recently observed temperature, composition and cloud structures are contrasted and compared with simple thermodynamic, radiative transfer and dynamical models. The instruments and techniques that have been used to remotely measure their atmospheric properties are also reviewed, and the likely development of outer planet observations over the next two decades is outlined. This book reviews the current state of knowledge of the atmospheres of the four giant gaseous planets. It is the first book to contain all the latest data and background information on these planets in one handy volume. Current theories of their formation are reviewed. The book clearly explains all specialist terms, and it discusses the pros and cons of ground versus space-based observations of giant planets. Introduction....Pages 1-15 Formation of the giant planets....Pages 17-52 Evolution processes in outer planet atmospheres....Pages 53-66 Vertical structure of temperature, composition, and clouds....Pages 67-132 Dynamical processes....Pages 133-196 Radiative transfer processes in outer planetary atmospheres....Pages 197-246 Sources of remotely sensed data on the giant planets....Pages 247-312