Solar System Update (eBook)

Latest Advances in Solar System Research 5
Contents 10
List of Contributors 15
1 The Solar Atmosphere and Space Weather 18
1.1 Early Concepts of Solar-Terrestrial Physics 19
1.2 Discovery of the Solar Wind, its Source Regions 22
and Geomagnetic Effects 22
1.3 Structure of the Heliosphere 28
1.4 The Changing Solar Magnetic Field and Dynamic Corona 30
1.5 The Explosive Corona – Coronal Mass Ejections 36
1.6 Space Storms and Space Weather Effects 44
1.7 The Future – Forecasting Space Weather 52
References 62
2 Mercury 71
2.1 Introduction and General Characteristics 71
2.2 Motion and Temperature 72
2.3 Mercury’s Surface-bounded Exosphere 76
2.4 Polar Deposits 79
2.5 Interior and Magnetic Field 80
2.6 Geology and Planet Evolution 84
2.7 Origin 94
2.8 The MESSENGER Mission 97
References 98
3 The Atmosphere of Venus: Current Knowledge and Future Investigations 102
3.1 Introduction 102
3.2 Current Knowledge and Outstanding Puzzles 103
3.3 Venus Express and Future Missions to Venus 115
3.4 Venus’ Place in Comparative Planetology and Climatology 121
References 122
4 Moon’s Origin And Evolution: 126
Alternatives and Implications 126
4.1 Introduction: The Consensus 126
4.2 Moon Origin by Giant Impact Unlikely 130
4.3 Terrestrial Planets Had Early Chondritic Cores 134
4.4 Melt from Huge Impacts Produced First Continents 135
4.5 Lunar Cataclysm at 3.9 Gyr Faked by 137
Late Basin-Forming Impacts 137
4.6 Clay Minerals Dominated Earth’s Crust Before Life Appeared 141
4.7 Conclusion 142
References 142
5 Evidence for Climate Change on Mars 150
5.1 Introduction 150
5.2 Martian Climate in the Present Epoch 151
5.3 Evidence for Climate Change on Mars 153
5.4 Martian Climate Change Modelling 166
5.5 Future Prospects 170
5.6 Conclusion 171
References 171
6 The Habitability of Mars: Past and Present 174
6.1 Introduction 174
6.2 Mars and the Bare Necessities of Life 176
6.3 Habitats for Life: The Present 185
6.4 Habitats for Life: The Past 186
6.5 Is There Anybody Out There? 187
References 188
7 Jupiter-sized Planets in the Solar System and Elsewhere 191
7.1 Introduction 191
7.2 Extrasolar Planets 192
7.3 Further Methods of Detecting Extrasolar Planets 202
References 208
8 The Icy Moons of Jupiter 211
8.1 Introduction 211
8.2 Internal Structure and Composition 214
8.3 Formation and Evolution of Icy Satellites 220
8.4 Surface Appearance and Geology 223
8.5 Conclusions and Implications 227
References 229
9 Cassini at Saturn: The First Results 231
9.1 Introduction 231
9.2 Science En Route to Saturn 234
9.3 Phoebe Science Results 236
9.4 Early Magnetospheric Findings 236
9.5 Early Atmospheric Observations 240
9.6 Early Findings on Saturn’s Rings 242
9.7 Observations of Titan 246
9.8 Early Findings on Iapetus 252
9.9 Early Findings on Enceladus 254
9.10 Other Preliminary Icy Satellite Findings 256
9.11 Conclusions 259
References 259
10 The Ice Giant Systems of Uranus and Neptune 264
10.1 Introduction 264
10.2 The Uranus System 264
10.3 The Neptune System 271
10.4 Future Exploration of the Ice Giants 276
References 277
11 The Solar System Beyond The Planets 279
11.1 Introduction 279
11.2 Pluto and Other Large Kuiper Belt Objects 281
11.3 Binaries and Multiple Systems 285
11.4 Observed Structure of the Kuiper Belt 287
11.5 Surface Properties of KBOs 292
11.6 Related Objects 299
References 302
12 The Nature of Comets 306
12.1 Introduction 306
12.2 Cometary Characteristics 308
12.3 A Model Of A Cometary Nucleus 312
12.4 Cometary Activity 318
12.5 Cometary Missions And Early Results 321
12.6 Conclusions 326
References 326
Index 328