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The Planetary Report • November/December 1990
Strange Chemistry
On the Cover: The atmospheres of the giant planets possess a chemistry strange to inhabitants of Earth's benign nitrogen-oxygen envelope. Gases that would be powerful toxins to terrestrial lifeforms are routinely generated by chemical reactions within Jupiter and Saturn's swirling clouds, By understanding the processes that create these compounds, we can learn a bit more about how such planets form. This composite image from <i>Voyager 2</i>'s cameras exaggerates color differences within Jupiter's atmosphere, which are due to the chemical compositions of the clouds
Features
4 The Strange Gases of Jupiter or Saturn: Keith Noll looks at these exotic atmospheres.
8 Planetary Maps: Passports for the Mind: Charlene Anderson takes us Earthbound travelers on a journey through the solar system.
20 Magellan at Venus: The Mapping Begins: Charlene Anderson presents radar results from our shrouded neighbor.
25 Hungary: An Able Partner in Exploration: Karoly Szegó touts Hungarian space efforts.
Departments
3 Members' Dialogue Voyager and Mars '94 missions.
24 World Watch NASA FY1991 budget; Giotto spacecraft update.
26 News & Reviews Inevitable impacts; hundred-million-megaton volcano.
27 Society Notes Desert test balloon success; SETI.
28 Q&A Why can't we reuse the Saturn V booster?
The Planetary Report • November/December 1990
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