Earth and Mars: Evolution of Atmospheres and Surface Temperatures

Solar evolution implies, for contemporary albedos and atmospheric composition, global mean temperatures below the freezing point of seawater less than 2.3 aeons ago, contrary to geologic and paleontological evidence. Ammonia mixing ratios of the order of a few parts per million in the middle Precamb...

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Published inScience (American Association for the Advancement of Science) Vol. 177; no. 4043; pp. 52 - 56
Main Authors Sagan, Carl, Mullen, George
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States American Association for the Advancement of Science 07.07.1972
Subjects
Aeons
Albedo
Atmospheric temperature
Fatty acids
Greenhouse effect
Liquids
Mars
Sea water
Solar evolution
Surface temperature
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Summary:Solar evolution implies, for contemporary albedos and atmospheric composition, global mean temperatures below the freezing point of seawater less than 2.3 aeons ago, contrary to geologic and paleontological evidence. Ammonia mixing ratios of the order of a few parts per million in the middle Precambrian atmosphere resolve this and other problems. Possible temperature evolutionary tracks for Earth and Mars are described. A runaway greenhouse effect will occur on Earth about 4.5 aeons from now, when clement conditions will prevail on Mars.
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ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.177.4043.52