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Comparative analysis of the atmospheres of early earth and early MarsAssuming that the primitive atmospheres of Mars and earth were similar and that present differences in atmospheres of earth and Mars are a result of their different distances from the sun and their different masses, the atmospheres of the early earth and early Mars were analyzed. A one-dimensional radiative-convective model derived from that of Kasting et al. (1984) and Kasting and Ackerman (1986) was then used to determine if a 1.3-bar CO2 partial pressure on Mars (which is equivalent to about 9 bars on earth) is consistent with the climatic conditions thought to have existed on earth four billion years ago. Results indicate that a dense CO2 atmosphere on early Mars at perihelion is consistent with conditions expected to have existed four billion years ago on earth. Earth would then have had a stable atmosphere with temperatures warm enough to support liquid water on the surface.
Document ID
19890064147
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Durham, R.
(U.S. Air Force Academy Colorado Springs, CO, United States)
Schmunk, R. B.
(Air Force Academy CO, United States)
Chamberlain, J. W.
(Rice University Houston, TX, United States)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1989
Publication Information
Publication: Planetary Biology and Origins of Life, 20th, 21st, and 23rd, Espoo, Finland, July 18-29, 1988) Advances in Space Research
ISSN: 0273-1177
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
89A51518
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSG-7043
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF ATM-84-15118
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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