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A reduced atmosphere for early Mars?One-dimensional, radiative-convective climate calculations indicate that the old model of a warm, dense, CO2 atmosphere on early Mars is no longer viable. The magnitude of the greenhouse effect in a CO2/H2O atmosphere is limited by condensation of CO2 clouds; this phenomenon is not important for Mars today, but has a pronounced cooling effect at the low solar luminosities thought to apply during early solar system history. The failure of this model indicates one of four things: (1) the new climate calculations are incorrect; (2) current solar evolution models are incorrect; (3) the idea that early Mars was warm and wet is incorrect; or (4) the atmosphere of early Mars contained other greenhouse gases (or particles) in addition to CO2 and H2O. Of these explanations, the most plausible is number (4) and the rest of the investigation is a further explanation of number (4).
Document ID
19920019252
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Kasting, J. F.
(Pennsylvania State Univ. University Park, PA, United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1992
Publication Information
Publication: Lunar and Planetary Inst., Papers Presented to the Workshop on the Evolution of the Martian Atmosphere
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
92N28495
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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