This book reviews the current state of knowledge of the atmospheres of
the giant gaseous planets: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. The
current theories of their formation are reviewed and their recently
observed temperature, composition and cloud structures are contrasted
and compared with simple thermodynamic, radiative transfer and dynamical
models. The instruments and techniques that have been used to remotely
measure their atmospheric properties are also reviewed, and the likely
development of outer planet observations over the next two decades is
outlined.
This second edition has been extensively updated following the Cassini
mission results for Jupiter/Saturn and the newest ground-based
measurements for Uranus/Neptune as well as on the latest development in
the theories on planet formation.