Planetary Atmospheric Electricity

Roger-Maurice Bonnet-Michel Blanc Originally published in the journal Space Science Reviews, Volume 137, Nos 1-4. DOI: 10. 1007/s11214-008-9418-0 (c) Springer Science+Business Media B. V. 2008 "Planetary Atmospheric Electricity" is the rst publication of its kind in the Space Science Series of ISSI. It is the result of a new and successful joint venture between ISSI and Eu- planet. Europlanet is a network of over 110 European and U. S. laboratories deeply involved in the development of planetary sciences and support to the European planetary space exp- ration programme. In 2004, the Europlanet consortium obtained support from the European Commission to strengthen the planetary science community worldwide, and to amplify the scienti c output, impact and visibility of the European space programme, essentially the - ropean Space Agency's Horizon 2000, Cosmic Vision programmes and their successors. Its presentcontractwiththeCommissionextendsfrom2005to2008, andincludes7networking activities, including discipline-based working groups covering the main areas of planetary sciences. A new contract with the Commission, presently under negotiation, will extend - roplanet's activities into the period 2009-2012. With the broad community connection made through its Discipline Working Groups and other activities, Europlanet offers an ideal base from which to identify new elds of research for planetary sciences and to stimulate coll- orative work among its member laboratories.

This volume presents our contemporary understanding of atmospheric electricity at Earth and in other solar system atmospheres. It is written by experts in terrestrial atmospheric electricity and planetary scientists. Many of the key issues related to planetary atmospheric electricity are discussed.

The physics presented in this book includes ionisation processes in planetary atmospheres, charge generation and separation, and a discussion of electromagnetic signatures of atmospheric discharges. The measurement of thunderstorms and lightning, including its effects and hazards, is highlighted by articles on ground and space based instrumentation, and new missions.Theory and modelling of planetary atmospheric electricity complete this review of the research that is undertaken in this exciting field of space science.

This book is an essential research tool for space scientists and geoscientists interested in electrical effects in atmospheres and planetary systems. Graduate students and researchers who are new to the field will benefit from the introductory overviews and can quickly expand their knowledge by studying the subsequent sections.