Planets and their atmospheres : origin and evolution (International Geophysics) - Hardcover

This volume critically surveys our present knowledge of the origin, composition, and evolution of planetary atmospheres, beginning with the presolar nebula and culminating with the present states and evolutionary trends of these atmospheres. The authors give special emphasis to the comparative study of Venus, Earth, and Mars as examples of evolving atmospheres. They cover in detail processes on Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Titan, and lo and review evidence on the abundance, distribution, and behavior of the volatile elements in asteroids and in planetary satellite systems.

John S. Lewis is Professor of Planetary Sciences and Co-Director of the Space Engineering Research Center of the University of Arizona, has concentrated in recent years on the material and energy resources of nearby space and on the hazards and opportunities presented to mankind by the Near-Earth Asteroids. He is a former Professor of Planetary Sciences and Chemistry at MIT and a Visiting Professor at Cal Tech. He has served as Chairman of a number of international conferences on space science and space development. His contributions to planetary science include the first prediction of coloring matter in the atmosphere of Jupiter. He is also the author of several popular science books, including Rain of Iron and Ice, a popular account of the impact hazard, and Mining the Sky, a survey of resource opportunities in space and their relevance to economic, resource, and environmental issues on Earth. He is also the editor of a 1000-page technical volume, Resources of Near-Earth Space. He has served as a member of the Board of Directors of American Rocket Company, and is presently an advisor to the Space Development Corporation's Near-Earth Asteroid Prospector (NEAP) mission.