Planets and Their Atmospheres Origins and Evolution [Paperback]

This work is addressed to advanced undergraduate and graduate students in astronomy, geology, chemistry, meteorology, and the planetary sciences as well as to researchers with pertinent areas of specialization who desire an introduction to the literature across the broad interdisciplinary range of this important topic. Extensive references to the pre-spacecraft literature will be particularly useful to readers interested in the historical development of the field during this century.Preface. Introduction. Retention of Volatiles by Planets. Evolutionary Processes. The Atmospheres of the Planets. Conclusions. References. Index.This volume critically surveys our present knowledge of the origin, composition, and evolution of planetary atmospheres, beginning with the presolar nebula and culminating with the present states and evolutionary trends of these atmospheres. The authors give special emphasis to the comparative study of Venus, Earth, and Mars as examples of evolving atmospheres. They cover in detail processes on Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Titan, and lo and review evidence on the abundance, distribution, and behavior of the volatile elements in asteroids and in planetary satellite systems.John S. Lewis is Professor of Planetary Sciences and Co-Director of the Space Engineering Research Center of the University of Arizona, has concentrated in recent years on the material and energy resources of nearby space and on the hazards and opportunities presented to mankind by the Near-Earth Asteroids. He is a former Professor of Planetary Sciences and Chemistry at MIT and a Visiting Professor at Cal Tech. He has served as Chairman of a number of international conferences on space science and space development. His contributions to planetary science include the first prediction of coloring matter in the atmosphere of Jupiter. He is also the author of several popular science books, including Rain of Iron and Ice, a popular account of the impact l