Exo-Weather Report

Stevenson's new book links the meteorology of the Earth to that of other planets, and even to stars and to clusters of galaxies, showing both similarities to and differences between terrestrial weather and that of weather on other worlds. Because Earth is not unique in the sense that it has weather, we have much to learn from the examples of other planets with atmospheres that show the movement of energy from hotter to colder areas. The various similarities and differences between Earth and other known planetary weather systems are examined to elaborate the connection between climate and the development of life. § The weather is such a ubiquitous part of our lives that we often take it for granted. However, in fact it is a manifestation of the huge energy budget our star the Sun imparts onto our planet's surface and into its atmosphere. Weather doesn't stop at the shores of our solar system, either. The author brings together the latest information from satellites and probes, such as Cassini and Hubble, to show its larger place in the astronomical picture. A large number of other planetary systems are known that lie far from our own, and inferences are drawn about the weather and climate that these planets will experience. We can potentially learn more about Earth's own weather and climate by looking elsewhere, including the impact that meteorological phenomena might have on living organisms. Additionally, the author expands our understanding of what exactly weather is comprised of by exploring the kind of "weather" experienced on the largest observable scales in the universe.