Estimation of Radiation Protection by a Dense Atmosphere and Magnetic Field on Ancient Mars

Details Estimation of Radiation Protection by a Dense Atmosphere and Magnetic Field on Ancient Mars Estimation of Radiation Protection by a Dense Atmosphere and Magnetic Field on Ancient Mars

Aug 2000

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2000mpse.conf..163s&link_type=abstract

International Conference on Mars Polar Science and Exploration, p. 163

Biology

Mars Surface, Mars (Planet), Planetary Magnetic Fields, Radiation Protection, Mars Environment, Mars Global Surveyor, Magnetic Anomalies, Exobiology

Scientific paper

Mars today is a desert planet with minimal atmosphere, bombarded by intense UV and cosmic radiation. For life--as we know it it--the Red Planet would be a harsh environment, barely sufficient even for extremophile species. However, the Magnetometer/Electron Reflectometer experiment on board of Mars Global Surveyor has detected surface magnetic anomalies during its low aerobraking passes. These anomalies strongly indicate the existence of a strong ancient Martian magnetic field, which may have been of a magnitude up to that of Earth. Combined with evidence for the presence of a denser, warmer and wetter atmosphere on early Mars with the loss of atmospheric constituents to space reduced by the presence of a stronger magnetic field the planet must have been much better protected from lethal radiation and small body impacts. We evaluate this protection and the atmospheric conditions during the first few hundred million years. As life on Earth might be as old as 3.8 Gyrs, similar primitive life may have developed on Mars under the more favorable conditions outlined in this work. Future missions, e.g. Mars Netlander and Mars Express, will provide us with critical information--both from orbit and on the ground--on the enigmatic Red Planet. They will determine the inner structure of Mars with seismometers, examine the surface material composition and look for predicted carbonate deposits, try to find areas with active hydrothermal vents, explore the edges of the polar caps, and probe Martian soil for signs of life.

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