An Introduction to Planetary Atmospheres

An Introduction to Planetary Atmospheres is an excellently written introductory book that presents the state of the art of planetary atmospheric science. ... a very interesting and valuable book. In my opinion this book will be useful not only for researchers working in the field, but also for the Earth sciences community who possess a relatively high level of mathematical skills and some knowledge of physics. -Andrzej Icha, Pure and Applied Geophysics, 2012 There are relatively few good basic textbooks on the physics of planetary atmospheres and a new volume, especially one as good as this, is a welcome addition. ... it is likely to be useful to researchers well beyond the level normally taught in undergraduate courses. At the same time, the various subtopics are introduced carefully, clearly and comprehensively, so beginners are not likely to get left behind ... Everything is well written ... and the figures are plentiful and clear. A particularly strong feature is the problem section that appears at the end of each chapter, with a large number of well thought out questions at university degree level. -F.W. Taylor, Contemporary Physics, 52, 2011 This comprehensive textbook on planetary atmospheres is versatile and well organized, with an exposition that is sensitive to different audiences and equally at ease explaining the chemical, dynamical, and empirical foundations of this multidisciplinary field. It is an invaluable reference for any student of atmospheres. -Timothy E. Dowling, Professor of Physics and Astronomy, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA For those who teach courses in planetary atmospheres, an outstanding problem has been the lack of an up-to-date, comprehensive textbook. Agustin Sanchez-Lavega has admirably filled that gap with an impressive new book that brings over two decades' worth of experience to the subject. Finally, instructors and students have a book with in-depth coverage of a wide range of topics, from atmospheric radiation to clouds and dynamics on all the relevant planets of the solar system. The book's wide scope expertly uses what's currently known about different planetary atmospheres to demonstrate the underlying physical processes in a comparative way. Several chapters have the style of two halves, where the first part introduces the fundamental concepts while the second portion presents the application of such ideas to the data gleaned from our exploration of the solar system. At the end of each chapter, there are excellent problem sets, which are both instructive and thoughtful. Particularly impressive are dozens of detailed tables with data that encompass a multitude of dynamical, radiative, and thermodynamic properties of planetary atmospheres. Consequently, this book will serve as a valuable resource for graduate students in planetary science, astronomy, and atmospheric sciences. Upper-level undergraduates enrolled in planetary science degrees will also surely be glad of the availability of a textbook that synthesizes our knowledge of planetary atmospheres. Alongside its pedagogical value, this book provides an excellent summary of recent research in planetary atmospheres and so will be an extremely useful reference for planetary science professionals. -David Catling, University of Washington, Seattle, USA