Atmospheric physics and Atmospheres of Solar-System bodies

TL;DR

This chapter provides an overview of the physical principles, processes, and phenomena governing the atmospheres of Solar System bodies, including their origin, evolution, and current meteorological features.

Contribution

It offers a comprehensive synthesis of atmospheric physics concepts and applies them specifically to Solar System planets and moons, highlighting recent understanding.

Findings

Descriptions of atmospheric processes across different Solar System bodies

Analysis of aerosol, circulation, and thermal phenomena in planetary atmospheres

Summary of physical principles underlying atmospheric evolution

Abstract

The physical principles governing the planetary atmospheres are briefly introduced in the first part of this chapter, moving from the examples of Solar System bodies. Namely, the concepts of collisional regime, balance equations, hydrostatic equilibrium and energy transport are outlined. Further discussion is also provided on the main drivers governing the origin and evolution of atmospheres as well as on chemical and physical changes occurring in these systems, such as photochemistry, aerosol condensation and diffusion. In the second part, an overview about the Solar System atmospheres is provided, mostly focussing on tropospheres. Namely, phenomena related to aerosol occurrence, global circulation, meteorology and thermal structure are described for rocky planets (Venus and Mars), gaseous and icy giants and the smaller icy bodies of the outer Solar System.