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This volume gives an integrated summary of the science related to the four giant planets in our solar system. It is the result of an ISSI workshop on «A comparative study of the outer planets before the exploration of Saturn by Cassini-Huygens» which was held at ISSI in Bern on January 12-16, 2004. Representatives of several scientific communities, such as planetary scientists, astronomers, space physicists, chemists and astrobiologists have met with the aim to review the knowledge on four major themes: (1) the study of the formation and evolution processes of the outer planets and their satellites, beginning with the formation of compounds and planetesimals in the solar nebula, and the subsequent evolution of the interiors of the outer planets, (2) a comparative study of the atmospheres of the outer planets and Titan, (3) the study of the planetary magnetospheres and their interactions with the solar wind, and (4) the formation and properties of satellites and rings, including their interiors, surfaces, and their interaction with the solar wind and the magnetospheres of the outer planets. Beyond these topics, the implications for the prebiotic chemical evolution on Europa and Titan are reviewed. The volume is intended to provide active researchers in the fields of planetary and solar system science, space plasma physics, and astrobiology with an up-to-date status report on the topic, and also to serve graduate students with introductory material into the field. At the time of publication of this book, the study of the outer planets is particularly motivated by the fact that the Saturn system is being investigated by the Cassini-Huygens mission. Reprinted from Space Science Reviews, Volume 116, Nos. 1-2, 2005.

Outer planets --- Planets --- Exploration --- Saturn (Planet) --- Gas giants --- Jovian planets --- Planetology. --- Astrophysics. --- Astrobiology. --- Astronomy. --- Space Sciences (including Extraterrestrial Physics, Space Exploration and Astronautics). --- Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology. --- Astronomy, Observations and Techniques. --- Astrobiology --- Biology --- Habitable planets --- Life --- Astronomical physics --- Astronomy --- Cosmic physics --- Physics --- Planetary sciences --- Planetology --- Origin --- Space sciences. --- Observations, Astronomical. --- Astronomy—Observations. --- Astronomical observations --- Observations, Astronomical --- Science and space --- Space research --- Cosmology --- Science

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"The Hunt for Planet X is a fascinating tale by one of the world's premier astronomy writers. Govert Schilling is not only scrupulously accurate, he writes beautifully as well." Stephen P. Maran, Author of "Astronomy for Dummies" and Press Officer, American Astronomical Society "The Hunt for Planet X is an adventure story or, more accurately, a series of adventure stories. Schilling tells them well, capturing both the science and the people involved. It starts with the classics: Uranus, Neptune and Pluto; and moves all over the solar system as ground-based astronomers and space scientists pour over measurements and observations to try to understand the worlds around us. Current debates about the Pioneer Anomaly and the definition of what is a planet make the book current as well as a good history." Dr. Louis Friedman, Executive Director, The Planetary Society "This exciting tale of the centuries-old search for new planets in the solar system reads like a thriller. It is an adventure packed with fierce competition, brilliant discoveries, dumb errors, lucky coincidences and artful intrigue – in short, the full spectrum of the human drama. The story reaches an exciting climax in 2006, when we lost Pluto as a planet but gained a number of ice dwarfs in return. This colorful account chock-full of fascinating details is an excellent metaphor for the great adventure of science." Robbert Dijkgraaf, Professor of Mathematical Physics at the University of Amsterdam The Hunt for Planet X: New Worlds and the Fate of Pluto goes beyond a standard scientific read, encompassing who, and what, is involved in the pursuit of planetary endeavors. Touching on over three-hundred years of debates, debacles and discoveries, this book offers the reader insight into the minds and motives of planetary astronomers and their findings. The "hunt" continues to the outer-most regions of the solar system, and Govert Schilling states this search will not cease: "Astronomy is an adventurous science," he writes, and without adventure and those who seek it out the universe would otherwise remain mysterious. The real-life characters presented in The Hunt for Planet X look for glimpses of light in the dark, from icy Kuiper Belt objects to full-fledged planets, in the process challenging how such worlds should be defined and ultimately describing the Universe.

Astronomy --History --Popular works. --- Outer planets --Discovery and exploration --Popular works. --- Planets --Discovery and exploration --Popular works. --- Solar system --Discovery and exploration --Popular works. --- Outer planets --- Planets --- Astronomy --- Astrophysics --- Astronomy & Astrophysics --- Physical Sciences & Mathematics --- Discovery and exploration --- History --- Solar system --- Gas giants --- Jovian planets --- Physics. --- Planetology. --- Observations, Astronomical. --- Astronomy. --- Astronomy, Observations and Techniques. --- Popular Science in Astronomy. --- Observations. --- Milky Way --- Physical sciences --- Space sciences --- Planetary sciences --- Planetology --- Astronomy—Observations. --- Astronomical observations --- Observations, Astronomical --- Planetary science. --- Astronomy, Cosmology and Space Sciences. --- Planetary Science.