Models of the ionospheres of Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune are presented. It is postulated that galactic cosmic-ray ionization is an important component of these ionospheres. For example, in the case of Neptune, the level of ionization caused by cosmic rays is comparable with that due to solar extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) radiation. The existence of cosmic-ray, as well as solar EUV-produced ionization, could be a valuable diagnostic tool for investigating the atmospheric thermal structure of those planets.
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Capone et al. (1977) studied this question.