Planetary atmospheres

Abstract

Planetary meteorologists seek to understand the origin and evolution of the family of planets that orbit the Sun, to investigate the stability of their atmospheres and to compare the surface environment and climate with the Earth. The radiative, dynamical and chemical processes in Earth's atmosphere all have analogues on the other planets: by studying all of them, we learn more than by studying the Earth as an isolated example. Space missions to the planets are now sufficiently numerous and sophisticated, and computer models sufficiently versatile, to make such studies meaningful. This article reviews the current state of knowledge. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society.