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A slightly more massive young Sun as an explanation for warm temperatures on early MarsThe valley network channels on the heavily cratered ancient surface of Mars suggest the presence of liquid water approx. 3.8 Gyr ago. However, the implied warm climate is difficult to explain in the context of the standard solar model, even allowing for the maximum CO2 greenhouse heating. In this paper we investigate the astronomical and planetary implications of a nonstandard solar model in which the zero-age, main-sequence Sun had a mass of 1.05 +/- 0.02 Solar Mass. The excess mass was subsequently lost in a solar wind during the first 1.2(sup -0.2)(sub +.04) Gyr of the Sun's main sequence phase. The implied mass-loss rate of 4(sup +3)(sub -2) x 10(exp -11) Solar Mass/yr, or about 10(exp 3) times that of the current Sun, may be detectable in several nearby young solar type stars.
Document ID
19980210072
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Whitmire, Daniel P.
(University of Southwestern Louisiana Lafayette, LA United States)
Doyle, Laurance R.
(Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Inst. Mountain View, CA United States)
Reynolds, Ray T.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Matese, John J.
(University of Southwestern Louisiana Lafayette, LA United States)
Date Acquired
August 18, 2013
Publication Date
March 25, 1995
Publication Information
Publication: MSATT: Mars Surface and Atmosphere Through Time
Publisher: Americal Geophysical Union
Volume: 100
Issue: E3
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Report/Patent Number
Paper-94JE03080
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
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