Planetary atmosphere

Abstract

Until recently the study of planetary atmospheres bore only a slight resemblance to the science of meteorology, which has traditionally been concerned with the Earth’s atmosphere and its phenomena. Now, with the advent of entry probe and landers, orbiting artificial satellites, and new techniques of ground-based astronomy, the science of planetary meteorology has a firm base of observational data on which to grow. The most important recent development is the return of data from the Mariner 9 spacecraft, which went into orbit around Mars on Nov. 14, 1971, and gave information on atmospheric temperatures, cloud patterns, and wind directions and also provided indirect evidence for episodes of liquid water on Mars. Other developments include the analysis of data bearing on the composition of the Venus clouds, studies of the rapid rotation of the Venus cloud layer, and studies of the wind system and temperatures associated with Jupiter's cloud bands.