Upper atmospheres and ionospheres of planets and satellites

TL;DR

This paper reviews the physics and chemistry of planetary and satellite upper atmospheres and ionospheres, emphasizing their role in atmospheric evolution, composition, and implications for exoplanet studies.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of the basic concepts, composition, dynamics, and energy processes of upper atmospheres and ionospheres in our solar system.

Findings

Ionospheres form through photon and particle interactions.

Magnetic fields influence atmospheric escape and composition.

Understanding these processes aids exoplanet atmospheric studies.

Abstract

The upper atmospheres of the planets and their satellites are more directly exposed to sunlight and solar wind particles than the surface or the deeper atmospheric layers. At the altitudes where the associated energy is deposited, the atmospheres may become ionized and are referred to as ionospheres. The details of the photon and particle interactions with the upper atmosphere depend strongly on whether the object has anintrinsic magnetic field that may channel the precipitating particles into the atmosphere or drive the atmospheric gas out to space. Important implications of these interactions include atmospheric loss over diverse timescales, photochemistry and the formation of aerosols, which affect the evolution, composition and remote sensing of the planets (satellites). The upper atmosphere connects the planet (satellite) bulk composition to the near-planet (-satellite) environment. Understanding the relevant physics and chemistry provides insight to the past and future conditions of these objects, which is critical for understanding their evolution. This chapter introduces the basic concepts of upper atmospheres and ionospheres in our solar system, and discusses aspects of their neutral and ion composition, wind dynamics and energy budget. This knowledge is key to putting in context the observations of upper atmospheres and haze on exoplanets, and to devise a theory that explains exoplanet demographics.