The Outer Planets and Their Moons: Comparative Studies of the Outer Planets Prior to the Exploration of the Saturn System by Cassini-Huygens

ISBN-13: 9781402033629 / Angielski / Twarda / 2005 / 497 str.

Therc(se Encrenaz; R. Kallenbach; T. Owen

Opis

This volume gives an integrated summary of the science related to the four giant planets in our solar system. It is the result of an ISSI workshop on "A comparative study of the outer planets before the exploration of Saturn by Cassini-Huygens" which was held at ISSI in Bern on January 12-16, 2004. Representatives of several scientific communities, such as planetary scientists, astronomers, space physicists, chemists and astrobiologists have met with the aim to review the knowledge on four major themes: (1) the study of the formation and evolution processes of the outer planets and their satellites, beginning with the formation of compounds and planetesimals in the solar nebula, and the subsequent evolution of the interiors of the outer planets, (2) a comparative study of the atmospheres of the outer planets and Titan, (3) the study of the planetary magnetospheres and their interactions with the solar wind, and (4) the formation and properties of satellites and rings, including their interiors, surfaces, and their interaction with the solar wind and the magnetospheres of the outer planets. Beyond these topics, the implications for the prebiotic chemical evolution on Europa and Titan are reviewed. The volume is intended to provide active researchers in the fields of planetary and solar system science, space plasma physics, and astrobiology with an up-to-date status report on the topic, and also to serve graduate students with introductory material into the field. At the time of publication of this book, the study of the outer planets is particularly motivated by the fact that the Saturn system is being investigated by the Cassini-Huygens mission.

Spis treści

Foreword. - Introduction. -Formation and evolution of the giant planets. -Formation of the outer planets: Overview; J. Lissauer. -Formation and composition of planetesimals - trapping volatiles by clathration; D.Gautier and F. Hersant. -Accreation of planetary cores; S. Weidenschilling. -Internal structure of the giant planets; I. Baraffe. -Extrasolar outer planets: a new perspective; Y. Alibert et al. -Neutral atmospheres. -Overview of composition measurements; T. Encrenaz. -Thermochemical models and cloud structure; A. Atreya and A. S. Wong. -Comparative study of the dynamics of the outer planets; R. Beebe. -Photochemical Processes; D. Strobel. -Formation and evolution of Titan's atmosphere; A. Coustenis. -A comparative study of aerosols in the giant planets and Titan; R. Courtin. - The changing face of Titan's haze: is it all dynamics? M. Roos-Serote. -Io's atmosphere and surface-atmosphere interactions; E. Lelleouch. -Aurorae and magnetospheres. - Solar system Magnethospheres; M. Blanc et al. -The current system of the Jovian magnetosphere and ionsosphere and predictions of Saturn; M. Kievelson. -Ionospheres and thermospheres of the giant planets; S. Miller et al. -Energetic particle populations in the magnetospheres of Jupiter and Saturn; N. Krupp. -Radio wave emission from the outer planets; P. Zarka. -Satellites and rings. -Geology of icy satellites; T.V. Johnson. -Triton, Pluto, Charon and beyond; D. Cruikshank. -Irregular satellites; D. Jewitt. -Dynamics and composition of rings; B. Sicardy. -Exo-astrobiological aspects of Europa and Titan: from observations to specualtions; F. Raulin.

Blurb

This volume gives an integrated summary of the science related to the four giant planets in our solar system. It is the result of an ISSI workshop on «A comparative study of the outer planets before the exploration of Saturn by Cassini-Huygens» which was held at ISSI in Bern on January 12-16, 2004. Representatives of several scientific communities, such as planetary scientists, astronomers, space physicists, chemists and astrobiologists have met with the aim to review the knowledge on four major themes: (1) the study of the formation and evolution processes of the outer planets and their satellites, beginning with the formation of compounds and planetesimals in the solar nebula, and the subsequent evolution of the interiors of the outer planets, (2) a comparative study of the atmospheres of the outer planets and Titan, (3) the study of the planetary magnetospheres and their interactions with the solar wind, and (4) the formation and properties of satellites and rings, including their interiors, surfaces, and their interaction with the solar wind and the magnetospheres of the outer planets. Beyond these topics, the implications for the prebiotic chemical evolution on Europa and Titan are reviewed.

The volume is intended to provide active researchers in the fields of planetary and solar system science, space plasma physics, and astrobiology with an up-to-date status report on the topic, and also to serve graduate students with introductory material into the field. At the time of publication of this book, the study of the outer planets is particularly motivated by the fact that the Saturn system is being investigated by the Cassini-Huygens mission.

Reprinted from Space Science Reviews, Volume 116, Nos. 1-2, 2005