Experimental and theoretical data relevant to models and measurements of the chemical and thermal structures and luminosity of the thermospheres of the Earth and planets published during the last four years are surveyed, and those in which one or more authors is affiliated with a U.S. institution are indicated. Among chemical processes, we include ion‐molecule reactions, dissociative recombination of molecular ions, and reactions between neutral species. Both reactions between ground state species and species in excited states are considered, including energy transfer and quenching. Measured and calculated cross sections for interactions of solar radiation with atmospheric species, such as photoabsorption, photoionization, and photodissociation and related processes are surveyed. Measurements and calculations of cross sections for elastic and inelastic scattering of particles, including electrons, protons, alpha particles, heavier ions, and neutral atoms are also surveyed.