NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Evolutionary impact of sputtering of the Martian atmosphere by O(+) pickup ionsCalculations of solar wind-induced loss rates for evolving solar and atmospheric conditions like those described by Zhang et al. (1992), but including sputtering of the Martian atmosphere by reentering O(+) pickup ions, are described. The inclusion of the sputter loss increases by about 30 percent the cumulative estimated loss of oxygen to that in about 50 m of water (global surface depth) over the last 3.5 billion years. These ions also sputter CO2 and its fragments in substantial amounts. That integrated loss is equivalent to about 0.14 bar atmospheric CO2 pressure, of the order of some estimates of Mars' early atmospheric inventory.
Document ID
19930032190
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Luhmann, J. G.
(California Univ. Los Angeles, United States)
Johnson, R. E.
(Virginia Univ. Charlottesville, United States)
Zhang, M. H. G.
(Austrian Academy of Sciences, Space Research Inst. Graz, Austria)
Date Acquired
August 15, 2013
Publication Date
November 3, 1992
Publication Information
Publication: Geophysical Research Letters
Volume: 19
Issue: 21
ISSN: 0094-8276
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
93A16187
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-461
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-2295
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

Available Downloads

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