atmosphere evolution of rocky planets
Atmosphere Evolution on Rocky Planets
Atmosphere can be defined as a gaseous compound layer surrounding a large body mass suspended by means of gravity and centrifugal force caused by rotation [1]. Atmospheres of planets have not always been the same, its evolution comprised of complex development across million years of geologic time affected by various changes of variables inside and outside its planet [2]. Of the interest of this essay is the atmospheric evolution of a rocky planet. Rocky planet is a terrestrial body consists mainly of silicate or metal [3]. Some known rocky planets with substantial atmosphere such as Venus, Mars and Earth has a very different composition of atmospheric gas [4]. These planets experienced very different condition that causes the formation of current atmosphere. This essay will focus on the evolution of atmosphere on Earth, Venus, and Mars and compare the current atmospheric conditions of these planets. Furthermore, how the Earth’s atmosphere can sustain life and how life on earth affect Earth’s atmosphere over different period of time will also be discussed.
First of all, there are some changes happenned in atmospheric condition of Venus over time. Venus has a very thick and dense atmosphere which mostly consists of carbon dioxide [5]. This carbon dioxide rich atmosphere is approximately 100 times greater than in Earth’s atmosphere [6]. The carbon dioxide trap infrared radiation originated from the Sun and bounced back from the planet surface, and causes large-scale greenhouse gas effect. This condition makes the Venus’ surface to be very hot (above 450C). Experts believe that significant volume of water was covering the surface of the planet at the early stage [7]. However, combinations of Venus location relative to the sun as well as the global warming condition evaporate the vast ocean on the Venus’s surface in a very short geological timescale [8]. Some of this water vapor then combined with the sulfur dioxide released
Atmosphere can be defined as a gaseous compound layer surrounding a large body mass suspended by means of gravity and centrifugal force caused by rotation [1]. Atmospheres of planets have not always been the same, its evolution comprised of complex development across million years of geologic time affected by various changes of variables inside and outside its planet [2]. Of the interest of this essay is the atmospheric evolution of a rocky planet. Rocky planet is a terrestrial body consists mainly of silicate or metal [3]. Some known rocky planets with substantial atmosphere such as Venus, Mars and Earth has a very different composition of atmospheric gas [4]. These planets experienced very different condition that causes the formation of current atmosphere. This essay will focus on the evolution of atmosphere on Earth, Venus, and Mars and compare the current atmospheric conditions of these planets. Furthermore, how the Earth’s atmosphere can sustain life and how life on earth affect Earth’s atmosphere over different period of time will also be discussed.
First of all, there are some changes happenned in atmospheric condition of Venus over time. Venus has a very thick and dense atmosphere which mostly consists of carbon dioxide [5]. This carbon dioxide rich atmosphere is approximately 100 times greater than in Earth’s atmosphere [6]. The carbon dioxide trap infrared radiation originated from the Sun and bounced back from the planet surface, and causes large-scale greenhouse gas effect. This condition makes the Venus’ surface to be very hot (above 450C). Experts believe that significant volume of water was covering the surface of the planet at the early stage [7]. However, combinations of Venus location relative to the sun as well as the global warming condition evaporate the vast ocean on the Venus’s surface in a very short geological timescale [8]. Some of this water vapor then combined with the sulfur dioxide released