Note: Intro -- Preface -- Acknowledgment -- Contents -- About the Author -- Chapter 1: The Formation of Stars and Planets at the Bottom of the Main Sequence -- Introduction -- Scenarios -- The HR Diagram -- Spectral Features of the Coolest Dwarf Stars, M-Dwarfs and Brown Dwarfs -- Spectral Features of K-Class Stars -- Star Formation -- Grand Tacks, Mass Migrations and Other Planetary Smash-Ups -- The Late Heavy Bombardment -- The Peculiar Tale of GJ 436b -- The Internal Structure of M- and K-Dwarf Stars -- The Stellar Furnace -- Stellar Evolution: An Overview -- UV Ceti Stars -- A Life More Ordinary: The Evolution of a Red Dwarf Star -- The Fate of the Most Massive Red Dwarf Stars -- Final Flings for Mid-Range M-Dwarf Stars -- A Life in the Balance: The Evolution of the Orange K-Dwarfs -- Stellar Evolution of K-Dwarfs -- The Mass Limit for Helium-Fusion -- Pulsations -- The Likely Fate of K-Dwarf Stars -- Stars with Initial Masses in the 0.65-0.75 Solar Mass Range -- Stars with Initial Masses Between 0.55 and 0.65 Solar Masses -- The Fate of the Lowest Mass K-Dwarfs -- Conclusions -- References -- Planetary Formation and Migration -- Star Formation -- Brown Dwarfs -- Stellar Evolution -- Chapter 2: Exoplanetary Discovery -- Introduction -- A Generation of Discovery -- The Radial Velocity Method -- Transits, Transit Timing Variations and Transit Duration Variations -- Photometric Detection of Extrasolar Planets -- Eclipse-Timing Variation -- Micro-Lensing and Other Relativistic Methods -- Time for BEER -- Ellipsoidal Variations in Stars -- Now You See It, Now You Don't: Direct Observation of Fomalhaut b and Other Worlds -- Polarimetry and Astrometry -- Conclusions -- References -- Chapter 3: Planetary Tectonism -- Introduction -- The Early Earth as a Model for Exoplanet Tectonism -- What Granites and Granitoids Tell Us About the Early Earth. , Clues from Other Worlds -- The Hadean-Archean Transition -- Modern Tectonism on Earth -- Driving Forces -- Mantle Plumes and Hot Spots -- Large-Scale Impacts of Mantle Plumes -- Plate Tectonics, Plumes and True Polar Wander -- TPW Elsewhere in the Solar System -- Plate Tectonics and Planetary Magnetism -- Different Kinds of Tectonism on Exoplanets -- Stagnant Lid Tectonics -- Hemispheric Plate Tectonics -- Episodic Plate Tectonics -- Plate Tectonics Under a Crimson Sun -- Conclusions -- References -- Tectonism -- True Polar Wander -- Plumes -- Lithosphere Structure and Delamination -- Granitoids and Other Igneous Rocks -- Chapter 4: Deep Cycles and Super-Terrans -- Introduction -- Subduction, Whole Mantle Convection and Element Cycling -- Draw-Down of Water and the Impact on Climate -- Oceans, Planet Mass and Kepler's Observations -- The Deep Carbon Cycle -- Carbon Cycling as Carbonate and Soluble Carbon Dioxide -- Tidal Locking and the Carbonate-Silicate Cycle -- Carbon Goes Commando in the Deep -- The Shallow Fate of Diamonds -- Cycling the Other Elements of Life -- The Persistence of Conditions Necessary for a Viable Biosphere -- Scenario One: Stripping an Earth-Mass World -- Scenario Two: Strip a Super-Terran Before Its Mantle Cools -- Scenario Three: Stripping a Super-Terran After the Mantle Has Cooled -- Scenario Four: Sequestering the Atmosphere of a Distant Super-Terran -- Planet Mass, Erosion and Nutrient Cycles -- Conclusions -- References -- Diamonds -- Erosion and Deposition -- Chapter 5: Atmospheric Circulation and Climate -- Introduction -- Tidal Locking and Orbital Period -- Circulation Basics-Horses, Trades and Super-Rotation -- The Coriolis Effect -- Jet Streams -- Super-Rotation and Tropical Waves -- Model Worlds and Their Problems -- Other Sources of Precipitation -- Topography and Precipitation -- Choice of Models. , Making Realistic Models: Other Factors to Consider -- Land -- Mountains -- Fronts -- Models with Terrestrial and Pangaeal Continents -- The Climate of the Slow-Rotating Anthropocene Earth Model -- The Climate of the Slow-Rotating, Pangaeal Earth Model -- The Climate of Rhines-Rotating Anthropocene Earth -- The Climate of Rhines-Rotating Pangaeal Earth -- The Climate of a Fast-Rotating Anthropocene Earth -- The Climate of a Fast-Rotating Pangaeal Earth -- Generic Conclusions from These Models -- General Climate and the Long-Term Habitability of Planets -- The Role of Ocean Circulation in the Control of Climate -- Climate Impacts on the Overall Habitability of Planets -- Wildcards: Atmospheric Collapse, Erosion and Sequestration -- Atmospheric Stripping -- Tidal Heating -- Sequestration and Collapse -- Conclusions -- References -- Chapter 6: The Origin and Early Evolution of Life -- Introduction -- Astrochemical Possibilities -- Respiration -- The Origin of Eukaryote Cells -- The Emergence of Photosynthesis -- The Entropy of Evolution -- The Lady's Not For Turning: Why Evolution Never Goes Backwards -- Conclusions -- References -- Chapter 7: The Niche, Its Hypervolume and the Entropy of Existence -- Introduction -- The Niche -- Species Diversity on Earth: A Primer for Extraterrestrial Biodiversity -- Can We Determine Species Diversity on Other Worlds? -- Super-Terrans, Gravity and Habitability -- Some Assumptions on How Habitable a Planet Can Be -- Fish Farming and Aquaplanets -- Oxygen and Niche Amplification -- PAR and the Red Edge -- Tidal Locking and Angle of Incidence and Their Impact on Photosynthesis -- Surprises from Terrestrial Biodiversity -- Implications of Ecological Ideas -- Conclusions -- References -- Chapter 8: The Failure of Early Optimism -- Introduction -- Gliese 581: One Dwarf, Three (Likely) Worlds -- The System -- Gliese 581d. , The Gliese 667 System: Two Super-Terrans, Three Stars -- The System -- The Prospects for ET Phoning from Gliese 667Cc -- Red, Not Dead? -- Gliese 832c -- Ross-128b -- Kepler-1229b -- Luyten's World, Luyten b -- Wolf-1061c -- Kapteyn b -- Kepler-186f -- LHS 1140b -- K2-155d -- A Special Mention -- Conclusions -- References -- Barnard b -- Gliese 832c -- K2-155d -- Luyten b (GJ 273b) -- LHS 1140 -- Proxima b -- Ross-128b -- Teegarden b and c -- Wolf-1061c -- Gliese 581d -- Chapter 9: A New Hope -- Introduction -- Proxima b -- The System -- The Planetary Geosphere -- Possible Climates -- Proxima b's Prospects for Habitability -- TRAPPIST-1 -- The System -- Initial Assessments of Habitability -- Climate Models -- The Wildcard: Induction Heating and Planetary Meltdowns -- Problems, Considerations and the Way Forward -- Comparisons with K-Class Stars and Their Worlds -- Kepler 62e and 62f -- Kepler-442 -- The Problems of Being an Orange World -- Imagining the Grand Scheme of Things -- Conclusions -- References -- Proxima b -- TRAPPIST-1 -- K-Dwarfs -- Models and Problems -- Glossary -- Index.

Note: Intro -- Dedication -- Preface -- About the Author -- Contents -- 1.: Initial Observations -- Introduction -- Historical Observations -- Open, Globular or Simply Associated? -- The Hertzsprung-Russell and Color-­Magnitude Diagrams -- Luminosity Classes of Stars -- A Schism Between Open and Globular Clusters: Observational Bias? -- How Star Clusters Revealed the Structure of the Milky Way -- Conclusions -- 2.: Adventures in Stellar Evolution -- Introduction -- Star Formation: Standard Monolithic Models -- Discs and Jets -- Cracks Within the Monolith -- Realistic Models for the Formation of Star Clusters -- Starburst Formation of Clusters -- Cluster Formation and the Evolution of Galaxies -- The Lives of Stars -- Brief Lives: An Overview of the Lives of Massive Stars -- Intermediate Mass Stars -- Sun-Like Stars -- The Fate of the Smallest Stars in the Universe -- Corpses -- Cosmic Recycling -- Conclusions -- 3.: Variable Stars -- Introduction -- Low and Intermediate Mass Stars from Birth Through Middle Age and Death -- The Music of the Stars -- A Varying Journey Through Time -- T Tauri Stars -- Delta Scuti Stars -- Exit Stage Left -- Semi-regular Variable Stars -- The Horizontal Branch -- W Virginis Stars -- Mira Variables -- OH/IR Variables -- RV Tauri Stars -- ZZ Ceti Stars -- Young, Fickle and Massive -- Herbig Ae/Be stars -- Be Stars -- Supergiant Variable Stars -- Luminous Blue Variables and Wolf-Rayet Stars -- Cataclysmic Variables -- Conclusions -- 4.: Globular Cluster Formation -- Introduction -- The Stars of Globular Clusters -- Cluster Formation: A Reprise -- What Do Observations of Globular Clusters Tell Us About How They Formed? -- Secret Agents: Dwarf Galaxies Masquerading as Star Clusters -- Omega Centauri and Its Kin -- The Problem -- A Question of Mass -- A Helium Clue -- Evidence from the Physical Distribution of Stars. , Do Observations of Young Globular Clusters Back Up This Model? -- Salt in the Diet -- Do Helium-Rich Main Sequence Stars Become Helium-Rich Geriatrics? -- A (Somewhat Silly) Gedankenexperiment -- A Summary: A Confusing Picture Painted with Salt -- Have Globular Clusters Been Consigned to the Dustbin of History? -- Conclusions -- 5.: Open Clusters -- Introduction -- The Structure of Open Clusters -- Old Yet Open? -- Classification of Open Clusters -- How Birth Determines Life -- How Open Clusters Come Apart -- Location, Location, Location -- Planets in Globular Clusters -- Conclusions -- 6.: Stellar Soap Operas -- Introduction -- Binary Star Systems -- General Principles -- Young Clusters -- Lurid Marriages and Messy Divorces -- Two Routes to Blue -- Beyond the Blue: The Twisted Fates of Cluster Stars -- W Ursa Majoris Stars -- How Binary Stars Can Affect One Another: SN 1993J -- How Westerlund-1 Solved the Puzzle of Magnetars -- Pair Instability: The Unfolding Stories of SN 2006gy and SN 2007bi -- The Likely Tale of a Massive Straggler -- X-Ray Binary Systems -- The Universe's Loneliest Supernovae -- Type Ia Supernovae and Beyond -- Conclusions -- 7.: The Complex Lives of Globular Clusters -- Introduction -- Speed, Distance and Crossing Time -- Violent Relaxation -- The Two-Body Relaxation Time -- Disc Shocking -- Core Collapse -- The Large Magellanic Cloud: Snapshots of Creation -- Ring Clusters -- Hodge 11 -- M33: A Brief Tale of Two Clusters -- Core Collapse in M33 -- The Young Clusters of M82: MGG 9 and 11, Density and Fate -- Giant Elliptical Galaxies -- Adrift in a Sea of Galaxies -- Cluster Evaporation -- Multiple Populations of Stars: An Afterthought -- Conclusions -- 8.: From Science Fiction to the Reality of Planets in Star Clusters -- Introduction -- Living Worlds -- Along Came a Spider: What Life (Appears) to Need to Arise. , Limited Clues from an Earthly Tree -- Energy, Entropy and Evolution -- Capturing Energy -- Is Life on Earth a Reasonable Model for Life Elsewhere? -- The Galaxy's Oldest Planet? -- A Planet Pair for Kapteyn's Star -- Visions of Heaven: The Artistic and Visionary View from the Surface of a Cluster World -- Planets in the Open Cluster, M67 -- The Fate of M4's Pulsar Planet -- Conclusions -- 9.: Milkomeda and the Fate of the Milky Way -- Introduction -- The Inevitability of Collisions in the Local Group -- Low Metallicity High Velocity Clouds and Star Formation -- Harassment and Merging Between M33 and M31 -- The Fate of M31 and the Milky Way's Dwarf Satellites -- The Grand Collision -- The Fate of Milkomeda -- Galactic Dissolution -- Conclusions -- Glossary -- Further Reading -- Chapter 1-Historical Perspectives -- Chapter 2-Adventures in Stellar Evolution -- Chapter 3-Variable Stars in Clusters -- Chapter 4-Globular Cluster Formation -- Chapter 5-Open Clusters -- Chapter 6-Stellar Soap Operas -- Chapter 7-The Complex Life of Globular Clusters -- Chapter 8-One Thousand Rubies in the Sky -- Chapter 9-Milkomeda and the Fate of the Milky Way -- Index.

Note: Intro -- Dedication -- Preface -- Acknowledgements -- Contents -- 1: Our Planet's Torrid Heart -- Introduction -- From Dust to Planet and Back Again -- The Early Crust -- Igneous Rocks -- Basalts and Their Kin -- The Intermediate Rocks -- A Tale of Three Metals -- Carbon and Other Planets -- Conclusions -- References -- Igneous Rocks -- Planet Formation -- Crustal Magmatic Processes on Earth -- Venusian Lavas -- Neutron Star Mergers and Nucleosynthesis -- 2: The Formation of Granites & -- Plate Tectonics -- Introduction -- A Diverse Family of Related Rocks -- The Formation of Granite - General Processes -- Geological Reductionism -- The Geographical Locations of Granites and Granodiorites -- The Origin of Continents -- The Real Game of Thrones - The Rise of the Caledonian Mountains -- Scotland's Munros -- The Ups and Downs of Mountain Building -- King Arthur and Cornwall's Rich Mineral Heritage -- Granite as an Abode for Life -- Granite, Bacteria and a Trip Abroad -- Headstones and the "Edstone" -- Conclusions -- References -- Igneous Petrology and Continental Crust -- Formation of Continental Crust -- The Caledonian and Appalachian Mountains -- Toba -- Volcanism in the Western States -- Biological Succession and Granite as a Niche -- 3: The Evolution of Modern Continents -- Introduction -- How Subduction Built our Modern World -- The Growth of North America - A 4-Billion-Year-long Story -- The Plume-Shield Connection -- The Proterozoic -- The Grenville Orogeny -- Pangaea -- The Laramides -- Africa -- Asia -- Indonesia - An Illustrated Continent Factory -- Drips, Diapers and Slabs: Backdoor Restructuring of Continental Crust -- The Izu-Bonin Arc -- The Andean Puna -- The Sierra Nevada, California -- Hoggar - Central Sahara -- Plumes Then and Now -- Roots, Plumes and Diamonds -- Diamonds Trace the Thickness of Continental Crust. , The Chemical Formation of Diamonds -- Emplacement of Diamonds - Kimberlites -- Other Diamond-Bearing Rocks -- Diamonds as a Tracer of Plate Tectonics -- Oldoinyo Lengai - Not Diamond, But Soap Suds -- Conclusions -- References -- Archaean and Hadean Tectonics -- The Proterozoic -- The Phanerozoic -- The Laramides -- Pan-African Orogeny and Subsequent History -- Delamination, Plumes and Continental Evolution -- Diamonds -- 4: Plate Tectonics, Planetary Magnetism and Life -- Introduction -- Protection by an Invisible Cloak? -- The Gas Giants, Jupiter and Saturn -- The Twisted Tale of the Ice Giants -- The Terrestrial Planets -- How Might Plate Tectonics Stir the Global Pot? -- Atmospheric Stripping -- Jeans escape -- Charge Exchange -- Electronic Force Field Acceleration -- Hydrodynamic Escape -- Sequestration -- Magnetism and Mars -- Sunburn - The loss of Atmospheres Irrespective of Magnetism -- A Young, Magnetic Moon? -- Special Circumstances - Tidally Locked Planets -- Conclusions -- References -- Core-Mantle and Heat Flow -- The Terrestrial and Lunar Dynamos -- Plate Tectonics and the Terrestrial Dynamo -- Venus -- Extrasolar Worlds -- 5: Jotunheim -In the Realm of Giants -- Introduction -- The Birth of the Himalayas -- The Rise of Tibet -- Volcanism in Tibet - A Clue to its Ongoing Evolution -- How Tibet Kept Its Edge -- How Man is Making Mountains Out of Molehills -- Did a Dam Cause the Death of 80,000 People? -- Antarctica's Gamburtsev Mountains -- The Alpine Front and the Cradle of Western Culture -- Delamination and the Central Italian Volcanoes -- Vesuvius and Its Surrounding Region -- Subduction and the Southern Italian Volcanoes -- The Balkans and Eastern Europe -- The Ever-Youthful Sierra Nevadas of America and Spain -- Decline and Fall - How Mountains Come Apart -- Erosion Happens Mostly in the Plain -- Mountain, Weather and Climate. , Gap Winds -- Snow-Eaters -- Flying Saucers and Venusian Gravity Waves -- Rossby Waves -- The Asian Monsoon -- Conclusions -- References -- The Himalayan Orogen -- Antarctica -- The Mediterranean -- Erosion and Deposition -- Mountains, Atmospheres and Climate -- Gap and Other Mountain Winds -- 6: Mountains, Atmosphere and Long-Term Habitability -- Introduction -- Volcanism and Our Early Atmosphere -- The Real Gaia - The Carbonate-Silicate Cycle in a World Without Granite -- A Spoonful of Sugar: Granitoids and Precipitation -- The Dry Monsoons and Storms of Mars -- Tidal Locking and the Carbonate-silicate Cycle -- Superrotation -- Super-Earths and the End of Planetary Gaia -- Super-Earths, Plate Tectonics and Oceans -- Conclusions -- References -- Paleo-Terrestrial Climate -- Snowball Earth Climate Transition and Exoplanets -- Mars -- Mantle-Hydrosphere Interactions: Long-Term Habitability of Planets -- Tidal Locking and the Moon -- 7: Our Island Earth: Granite Here, Granite Everywhere? -- Introduction -- The Moon -- Granite on the Moon -- Io -- The Nature of Io's Mountains and Lithosphere -- Volcanism on Io -- How Hot are Io's Lavas? -- Mars -- Martian Volcanism -- Tharsis Montes and Olympus Mons -- Rootless Cones, Tholi and Highland Paterae -- Ceres and Vesta -- Venus -- Venusian Crust, Tectonism and Volcanism -- The Nature of Venus's Crust -- Venusian Volcanism and Tectonism -- Conclusions -- References -- Io -- The Moon -- Ceres -- Mars -- Venus -- 8: Exoplanets, Granitoids and Evolutionary Potential -- Introduction -- Plate Tectonics, True Polar Wander and Tidal Locking -- Thick Lids and Swiss Cheese -- Stagnant Lid Worlds and Life -- Aquaplanets, Species Dispersion and Biodiversity -- A Biodiversity Model for Habitability -- Niche Filling, Tidal Locking and the Fermi Paradox -- Conclusions -- References -- Iceland, Plumes and Superplumes. , Habitability -- Red Dwarfs -- The Moon -- Biodiversity and Evolution -- Glossary -- Index.

Note: Intro -- Dedication -- Preface -- Contents -- About the Author -- 1.: What Is Life? -- Introduction -- Beyond the Six Kingdoms -- How Do Our Genes Work? -- The Shifting Landscape of Our Genes -- Genes on the Move -- The CRISPy Side of Evolution -- How MRS GREN Became MRS GREEN -- The Deep Biosphere -- Life, the Universe and Maybe Everything -- Conclusions -- References -- 2.: Life's Grand Themes -- Introduction -- The Replication and Transmission of Information -- The Persistence of Cells -- Photosynthesis and the Oxygen Revolution -- Of Peroxides and Perchlorates -- Sex and Sexuality -- From Unicellular to Multicellular Life -- Sensation -- Neurons, Brains and Integration -- Are There Reasonable Alternatives to Multicellular Central Nervous Systems? -- In Silico: The Future of Intelligence Everywhere? -- The Idea of an Intelligence Window -- A Few Final Scenarios -- Conclusions -- References -- 3.: The Origin of Life on Earth -- Introduction -- The Dark, Young Earth -- What Do Astrochemists Know About Life? -- Southern Fried Chickens and Poached Eggs -- Before the RNA World -- The Rise of Modern Genetics from Molecular Goo -- How Might Life on Earth Compare to Its Rise Elsewhere? -- The Emergence of Photosynthesis -- Conclusions -- References -- 4.: Life as the Evolution of Information -- Introduction -- The Entropy Illusion -- The Lady's Not for Turning-Why Evolution Never Goes Backwards -- Hypermutation -- Redundancy and Degeneracy: The Lifeblood of Evolution -- The Genetic Code -- Hox Genes -- Gene Networks and Genetic Learning -- Redundancy, Entropy and the Major Transitions in Evolution -- Epigenetics: Add a Dash of Lamarckian Unpredictability -- Conclusions -- References -- 5.: Life Jim, But Not as We Know It -- Introduction -- A Recap -- Using the Deep Biosphere as a Guide to Alien Life -- Signs of Life -- Life Under a Crimson Sun. , Insurmountable Problems? -- The Rhythm of Life -- The Color of Spring -- ET - From the Familiar to the Sublime -- Sub-glacial Life -- Living Rocks -- The Blob -- Dustballs, Tumbleweeds and Self-assembling Organisms -- Planet-Wide Microbial Consciousness -- In Silico Life: A Reprise -- Can a Star Be Alive? -- Nebular Life? -- Life on Nearby Shores -- The Signatures of Life -- Metabolism -- The Great Pump -- Biological Impact on Planetary Atmospheres -- Conclusions -- References -- 6.: Extinction -- Introduction -- Humans as Mass Killers -- The Five Major Extinctions -- The Ordovician Extinctions -- The Devonian Event -- The Great Dying -- The Fall of Pangaea and the Rise of the Dinosaurs -- The Rise of Mammals -- Take-Home Messages from the Mass Extinctions -- Can Life Be Defeated? -- Conclusions -- References -- 7.: Agents of Mass Destruction -- Introduction -- Our Own Worst Enemy -- Global Warming -- Nuclear War -- Overpopulation -- Pestilence -- Collapsing Economies -- Fashion Bottlenecks -- What Can the Universe Throw at Us? -- Ice Ages -- Near Misses with Black Holes and Neutron Stars -- Near Misses with Dwarf Stars or Rogue Planets -- Gamma Ray Bursts -- Cosmic Collisions with Comets and Asteroids -- Migrating Mercury -- Mutually Assured Destruction: Courtesy of the LHC? -- What Can Science Fiction Tell Us About Annihilation? -- Wandering Planets: "Earthfall" -- Death Rays and Antimatter -- V (1984) -- Von Neumann Machines -- Conclusions -- References -- 8.: Ultimately, Can Life Survive? -- Introduction -- The Decline and Fall of Life on Earth -- Tardigrades, Dienococcus radiodurans and Hitching Rides -- The End of Stars -- Life Without Warmth -- Energy, Entropy and Life's Inevitable Decline -- Death by Fire -- Conclusions -- References -- 9.: A Thesis on Life, the Universe and Almost Everything -- Introduction. , The Basics for Life and Intelligent Life -- Oxygenic Photosynthesis as a Rate-Limiting Step -- Information Entropy, Probability and Time -- Oxygen's Role in Expanding Biological Information Entropy -- Information Entropy in a Changing Environment -- Plate Tectonics and the Growth in Information Entropy -- Towards a Mathematical Model for Evolution in a Changing World -- The Model -- Information, Information, Information -- Information, Oxygen, Multicellular Life and the Evolution of Complexity -- Information, Oxygen and Intelligence -- Planet A: Aqua-Planet -- Planet B: A Tidally Locked World -- Planets C and D: A Young Earth, a Young Mars -- Information and Extinction -- Conclusions -- References -- Glossary -- Index.

Note: Intro -- Dedication -- Preface -- Contents -- 1.: What We Know About the Weather on Earth -- Why Do We Have Weather? -- The Highs and Lows of Meteorology -- Wind Direction: Waterwheels and a Suspect Tale from the Front -- The Vertical Structure of the Earth's Atmosphere -- The Language of War-Fronts -- The Jet Stream -- Rotation, Rotation, Rotation -- Rossby Waves -- Other Jets That Drive Terrestrial Weather -- How the Jet Stream Brought a Sting to the Bergen Frontal Model -- Fastnet -- The New Zealand Bomb -- The 1993 US Superstorm -- The Tropics: A Quick Guide -- Interconnections -- Conclusions -- References -- 2.: Climate Oscillations in Space and Time -- Introduction -- The Present Monsoon -- Shifting Continents, Shifting Climate -- Probing the Past Asian Monsoon -- Milanković Cycles: Astronomical Influences on Terrestrial Climate -- The Death of the Tethys and the Birth of the Sahara -- Pangean Monsoons -- Problematic Children: El Niño and La Niña -- The Future East Asian Monsoon Under the Cloud of Global Dimming -- How Global Dimming Caused Geopolitical Chaos in the Dark Ages -- Conclusions -- References -- 3.: Tales of Mass Destruction -- Introduction -- Global Greenhouses: Eocene, Permian and Anthropocene -- The Eocene Climate Maximum -- A Bad Day in the Permian -- The Human Factor -- Anthropogenic Global Warming -- Dissension -- Drifting Hurricanes Amid a Changing Climate -- Endemic Misunderstandings -- The Medieval Tepid Period and the Luke-Warm Little Ice Age -- The Effect of Global Climate Catastrophes on Life -- An Icy Future? -- Visions of Hell: Terrestrial Snowballs and Fireballs -- Snowballs and Slushballs -- Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head: The Controversial Climate of the Early Earth -- Parallel Lives: The Formation of the Earth and Venus -- The Last Icehouse -- The Rise of Amasia -- Geo-Engineering the Future. , Conclusions: The Big Picture -- References -- 4.: Weird Weather -- Introduction -- Strange Lights from Thunderstorms -- Earthlights or Headlights? -- Fata Morgana or Something Else? -- Earthquake Clouds and Lights -- Sprites, Jets and Other Luminous Atmospheric Phenomena -- Gamma Ray Bursts on Earth -- Sky Quakes -- The Red Rains of Kerala -- Flying Spiders -- Conclusions -- References -- 5.: Venus -- Introduction: The Twin That Isn't -- The Venusian Day -- A Noxious Vision of Hell -- The Structure of the Venusian Atmosphere -- No Layer but Yes, Ozone Around Venus -- The Edge of Space -- Changes to Wind Speed at Venus -- Snow on Venus? -- Lightning on Venus -- Why Does Venus Have So Much More Carbon Dioxide than the Earth? -- Constructing a Dry Planet -- Life in Hell? -- Future Venus: The Earth and Venus, Twins Once More -- Conclusions -- References -- 6.: The Wispy Weather of Mars -- Introduction -- The Structure and Formation of the Martian Atmosphere -- Dust Devils, Tornadoes and the Other Whirling Winds of Earth and Mars -- Aurora -- Mystery Clouds Across the Southern, Morning Terminator -- Martian Ozone -- Martian Methane: Mars not Dead, Yet -- The Lingering Death of Mars -- Jean's Escape -- Charge Exchange -- Hydrodynamic Escape -- Solar Wind Stripping -- Future Mars -- Conclusions -- References -- 7.: The Gas Giants -- Introduction -- The Structure of the Giants -- The Color of Giant Planets in the Solar System -- Belts and Braces: The Bands and Storms of Jupiter -- Great Red Spot and Other Vortices -- Derechos and the Storm That Ate Itself -- The Polar Hexagons -- Ice Fall from the Rings -- Io's Electrifying Connection to Jupiter -- Is Mighty Jupiter Losing Any Atmosphere? -- Conclusions -- References -- 8.: The Ice Giants -- Introduction -- Inside the Ice Giants -- The Structure of Uranus and Neptune's Atmospheres -- Seasons -- Dark Spots. , The Twisted Tale of Ammonium Metal -- Conclusions -- References -- 9.: Ice Dwarves: Titan, Triton and Pluto -- Introduction -- Titan -- Introduction -- General Structure of Titan's Atmosphere -- The Weather Report for Titan -- Microbursts and Aeolian Features on Titan -- Titan's Missing Vital Spark -- The "Methanological" Cycle -- Rat Poison -- The Loss of Titan's Atmosphere -- Triton -- Introduction -- Triton's Atmosphere -- What's the Weather Like? -- Pluto -- Introduction -- Pluto and Triton as Non-identical Twins -- Conclusions -- References -- 10.: Tales of Other Worlds -- Introduction -- Exoplanets by the Bucket -- The Climate of Tidally-Locked Planets: Assumptions and Expectations -- The Structure of the Atmosphere of Jupiter-Like Worlds: Too Hot, Too Cold, or Just-Right -- The Mystery of Super-Rotation -- How Do the Atmospheres of Tidally-Locked Worlds Move? -- Hot Jupiters -- Tidally-Locked Earths and Super-Earths: General Ideas -- Model 1: A Smooth, Unrealistic Planet with No Oceans -- Model 2: Oceans on Super-Earths and Earth-Like Worlds -- Tidally-Locked Earths and Super-Earths: Towards A Realistic Planetary Model -- The End of Weather: Atmospheric Collapse and Atmospheric Erosion -- Earth-Like but not Tidally-Locked -- Tipped Over Worlds -- Atmospheric Gravity Waves -- Atmospheric gravity waves and Earthquakes -- Weather, Unbound: Brown Dwarfs, Stars, Galaxies and Galaxy Clusters -- Solar Wind and Stellar Gales -- Galactic Winds -- Cold Fronts in Galaxy Clusters -- Conclusions -- References -- Glossary -- Index.