GIANT PLANETS OF OUR SOLAR SYSTEM

Atmospheres, Composition, and Structure (Second Edition)

Patrick Irwin

This new edition of Giant Planets of Our Solar System has been completely revised and updated following the Cassini space mission to Saturn and from the results of improved ground-based observations of all the giant planets.

Drawing from all relevant areas of scientific research and knowledge, the book provides a comprehensive review of the current state of knowledge about the atmospheres, composition, and structure of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, the largest planetary bodies in the Solar System. It describes observed features using comparison with simple thermodynamic, dynamical, and radiative transfer models and explains how current knowledge has been instrumentally gathered and interpreted.

Giant Planets of Our Solar System contains

a section of color plates illustrating important areas of the text
clear explanation of all specialist terms used when they are first introduced
extensive descriptions of the composition, vertical structure, and dynamics of the giant planet atmospheres
observations of the giant planets over a very wide range of frequencies, from the ultraviolet and visible through to infrared, submillimeter, and microwave wavelengths
sections discussing the pros and cons of ground-based observations of these planets versus space-based telescope observations and spacecraft fly-by and orbiting missions
a review of observations and missions that have already taken place to these planets, together with future observations and missions planned in the next ten to twenty years

Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgements
List of figures
List of tables
List of abbreviations and acronyms

Introduction
Formation of the giant planets
Evolution processes in outer-planet atmospheres
Vertical structure of temperature,composition,and clouds
Dynamical processes
Radiative transfer processes in outer-planetary atmospheres
Sources of remotely sensed data on the giant planets
Future of giant planet observations

References
Index

Extent: 440 pages, 24-page colour section
Binding: Hardback
Publication Date: January 2009
ISBN: 978-3-540-85157-8

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