This volume summarizes the recent results of the exploration of Venus, Mars and Titan in the field of space plasma physics. These are the only non-magnetic solar system bodies having dense atmospheres. A number of space missions investigated these objects; the past and the current missions are put in context with modern theoretical descriptions. The strength of the book is the comparison of the similarities and differences in the plasma interaction of Venus, Mars and Titan; such comparisons have not yet been published.

This volume is aimed at graduate students and researchers working in planetary science and space physics.

Previously published in Space Science Reviews journal, Vol. 162/1-4, 2011.

Provides the very first comparison of similarities and differences in the atmospheric plasma interactions of Venus, Mars and Titan Compares the capabilities of the past and current space missions to test the plasma environment of Venus, Mars and Titan Describes the future direction of research in this important, emerging field

Autorentext
Karoly Szego earned his Ph.D. and D.Sc. in Physics from Roland Eötvös University in Budapest, Hungary, while also working at the university as a Professor until 1998. He is currently the science advisor of KFKI Research Institute for Particle and Nuclear Physics in Budapest. Dr. Szego is a member and on the board of trustees of the International Academy of Astronautics, and was a member of the advisory board of the International Space Science Institute (1996 2002). He is also the recipient of the Diploma for International Cooperation, NASA (1982), the State Prize of Hungary (1986) and the Zoltan Bay award (2007).

Klappentext
This volume summarizes the recent results of the exploration of Venus, Mars, and Titan in the field of space plasma physics. These are the only non-magnetic solar system bodies having dense atmospheres. A number of space missions investigated these objects; the past and the current missions are put in context with modern theoretical descriptions. The strength of the book is the comparison of the similarities and differences in the plasma interaction of Venus, Mars and Titan; such comparisons have not yet been published.

This volume is aimed at graduate students and researchers working in planetary science and space physics.

Previously published in Space Science Reviews journal, Vol. 162/1-4, 2011.

Inhalt
The plasma environment of Venus, Mars, and Titan, an introduction.- Upstream of Venus and Mars.- Upstream of Saturn and Titan.- Recent results from Titan's ionosphere.- The induced magnetospheres of Mars, Venus, and Titan.- Ion energization and escape on Mars and Venus.- Exospheres and energetic neutral atoms.- Modeling of Venus, Mars, and Titan.- Ion acceleration and outflow from Mars and Venus, an overview.- Titan, an overview.