Mathematics – Logic
Scientific paper
Sep 1996
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1996dps....28.0303l&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #28, #03.03; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 28, p.1064
Mathematics
Logic
Scientific paper
The history of the Martian atmosphere figures prominently in questions ranging from the origin of geological features suggesting a once wet surface, to issues relating to the possible development of life. In debating the fate of the lost volatiles, the alternatives of escape to space versus crustal absorption are frequently decided by analyzing isotope ratios, especially of the inert or nonreactive noble gases. These gases were presumably accreted with cosmic abundances, and any modern sources in the crust or interior also give off the cosmic abundances so that any departures can be attributed to loss to space. However, it has not been obvious how to remove the heavier elements from Mars' gravitational pull. For many years, early episodes of ``hydrodynamic escape'', in which the heavier elements could be dragged out with abundant primordial hydrogen that literally flowed from the planet, were invoked to explain the observed depletions of the light isotopes of gases like Argon. The problem with this explanation was that, except under very constraining circumstances, this process would not discriminate between isotopes. It was then realized that early sputtering of the Martian atmosphere by upper atmosphere ions accelerated by solar wind pickup provided an attractive alternative consistent with the expected properties of the early Sun. The problem in this case is that Schubert and Spohn (1990) had proposed a model for the evolution of the magnetic field of Mars based on post-accretionary cooling of the core that would have prevented this mechanism from having any major effects. In this paper we illustrate how an early field of Mars would limit atmosphere losses to space, and thereby show why paleomagnetic studies of Mars meteorites and Mars samples are essential to our efforts to reconstruct the story of Mars' evolving atmosphere.
No associations
LandOfFree
Martian Magnetic Field History and the Loss of Volatiles to Space does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Martian Magnetic Field History and the Loss of Volatiles to Space, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Martian Magnetic Field History and the Loss of Volatiles to Space will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1460762