NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Ice clathrate as a possible source of the atmospheres of the terrestrial planetsThe presence and compositions of atmospheres on the terrestrial planets do not follow directly from condensation models which would have earth accreting near 500 K. No single mechanism yet proposed adequately accounts for the abundances of noble gases and carbon and nitrogen in the atmospheres. We show that the composition of clathrates forming at low temperatures in cold regions of the nebula can be predicted. Addition of about 1 ppm clathrate material to the earth can explain observed abundances of Ar, Kr, and Xe. Condensation and adsorption processes occurring at 400-500 K are necessary to explain the observed abundances of Ne, H2O, C, and N. Possible sources of clathrates could be cometary bodies formed in the outer solar system.
Document ID
19780039243
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Sill, G. T.
(California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.; Arizona, University Tucson, Ariz., United States)
Wilkening, L. L.
(Arizona, University Tucson, Ariz., United States)
Date Acquired
August 9, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1978
Publication Information
Publication: Icarus
Volume: 33
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
78A23152
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSG-7011
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available