Atmospheric structure, composition and diagnostics
Abstract
Atmospheric properties of terrestrial planets and outer satellites are reviewed, with special emphasis on their composition, thermal structure and cloud structure. These properties are analysed in the frame of their formation and evolution. Infrared spectra of planets and satellites are used to retrieve element abundances and isotopic ratios which are diagnostics of formation and evolution processes. In conclusion, the main characteristics of the infrared spectra of terrestrial exoplanets are also discussed in order to estimate the kind of information which can be retrieved from these data.
- Publication:
-
Earth-like Planets and Moons
- Pub Date:
- October 2002
- Bibcode:
- 2002ESASP.514..183E
- Keywords:
-
- Planetary Atmospheres: Structure;
- Composition