Climate evolution on the terrestrial planetsThe present comparative evaluation of the long-term evolution of the Venus, earth, and Mars climates suggests that the earth's climate has remained temperate over most of its history despite a secular solar luminosity increase in virtue of a negative-feedback cycle based on atmospheric CO2 levels and climate. The examination of planetary climate histories suggests that an earth-sized planet should be able to maintain liquid water on its surface at orbital distances in the 0.9-1.5 AU range, comparable to the orbit of Mars; this, in turn, implies that there may be many other habitable planets within the Galaxy.
Document ID
19890056417
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Kasting, J. F. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Toon, O. B. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)