Comparative Planetology with an Earth Perspective

The systematic study of the planets has experienced a slow but steady progress from the efforts of a single individual (Galileo Galilei, 1564-1642) to nations that individually and collectively create whole agencies and complex infrastructures devoted to the exploration and understanding of our solar system. This quest for knowledge continues in earnest today as we attempt to understand Earth's unique place among its closest neighbors. Known diversities emphasize fractionation processes that may have occurred in the nebula during early solar system formation, and the vastly different evolutionary paths taken by the planets and their satellites. The discovery of similarities and differences among the planets has given rise to a discipline of "Comparative Planetology. " Here terrestrial properties and giant planet atmospheres are viewed and probed, surface geologies are related to atmospheres and oceans, interior structures are envisioned, magnetic fields mapped, and bizarre differences in satellites and ring systems continue to enlighten, amaze and confound the detectives of planetary science. A science organizing committee with international participation was formed to develop a conference program to address the basic issues and the fundamental processes that are common among the planets. The goals of the meeting were twofold: first the production of a reference source on comparative planetology for academia, and second, the provision of an impetus for NASA to begin a program devoted to this emerging science discipline. The conference program accommodated seventeen invited papers and nineteen poster presentations.

Proceedings of the First International Conference, held in Pasadena, California on June 6-8, 1994

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Formation of the Terrestrial Planets.- Geology of Terrestrial Planets with Dynamic Atmospheres.- CO2 Cooling in Terrestrial Planet Thermospheres.- Constraints on the Martian Cratering Rate Based on the SNC Meteorites and Implications for Mars Climatic History.- Factors Controlling Volcanism and Tectonism in Solar System Solid Bodies.- Giant Planet Formation: A Comparative View of Gas-Accretion.- Giant Planet Formation: Dynamical Stability of a Massive Envelope.- Origin of the Major Planet Atmospheres: Clues from Trace Species.- The Chemical Atmospheric Composition of the Giant Planets.- NH3, H2S, and the Radio Brightness Temperature Spectra of the Giant Planets.- Titan's Atmosphere and Surface: Parallels and Differences with the Primitive Earth.- Cryovolcanism on the Icy Satellites.- Formation of Satellite and Ring Systems: Comparative Aspects.- Frozen Fields.- Planetary Dynamos.- Planetary Magnetospheres.- Boundary Determinations from Low Frequency Magnetic Field Measurements.- Evolution of Planetary Ringmoon Systems.- Thermal History of Planetary Materials in the Solar Nebula.- Migration of Bodies in the Accumulation of Planets.- List of Participants.- The 'Kluwer' LaTeX Style File: Instructions for Authors.- Author Index.- Volume Contents.