The atmospheres of Uranus and Neptune: A review

Abstract

Plausible models for the atmospheres of Uranus and Neptune are reviewed. Current ideas favor the presence of massive atmospheres above solid cores. Observations of Uranus imply the presence of a visible cloud layer (probably composed of solid methane) beneath about 100 km amagats of hydrogen. A number of other cloud layers far below this upper layer are also possible. However, before any of these conclusions can be considered firm, a number of further crucial observations are required.