Idea about Mars atmospheric loss

In summary, Mars currently has a thin atmosphere of 0.006 bar, which is theorized to have been much thicker in the past, possibly even thicker than Earth's 1 bar atmosphere. This could have been caused by a combination of factors such as a lack of a magnetic field, geological activity, and impacts from planetoids and asteroids. However, despite being able to hold CO2, oxygen, and nitrogen, Mars is unable to retain water vapor due to its low temperature of 210 K. This, coupled with the planet's early warmer conditions and lack of geological activity, would have made it difficult for Mars to retain its atmosphere. It is believed that this combination of factors, along with the low gravity and lack of a magnetic
  • #1
willstaruss22
108
1
Mars current atmosphere is 0.006 bar. It is theorized that the atmosphere was thicker in the past possibly thicker than Earths 1 bar atmosphere. There are many processes that could have done this such as having no magnetic field, lack of geological activity, a planetoid crashing into it and escape velocity of lighter molecules. According to the link below Mars can hold CO2, oxygen and nitrogen now but water vapor will escape and this is at 210 K.
http://astro.unl.edu/naap/atmosphere/animations/gasRetentionPlot.html
Mars early in its life was likely much warmer which would have caused gases to escape much easier, this coupled with the lack of geological activity would have made things even worse for Mars. There is also the heat from planetoid and asteroid impacts that would cause the temperatures to soar hundred of degrees not just from the initial impact but from the reentry of materials. As you see on the link if you increase the temperature the gases will escape including CO2.

Therefore its my believe that the triple effect from lack of a magnetic field, lack of geological activity and the escape velocity from both its warmer period and the heat from its many asteroid collisions caused the gases to escape.

Would this make any sense?
 
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  • #2
The low gravity of Mars and its lack of a dynamo effect generating a magnetic shield are the main culprits. Sputtering of the atmosphere by the sun is the primary consequence. It is now widely believed that Mars was hospitable to life a few billion years ago.
 

Related to Idea about Mars atmospheric loss

1. What is the current understanding of Mars' atmospheric loss?

The current understanding is that Mars' atmosphere was once thick and Earth-like, but over time it has lost much of its gas and water due to a combination of solar wind erosion, atmospheric escape, and geological processes.

2. How does solar wind affect Mars' atmospheric loss?

Solar wind, which consists of charged particles from the Sun, can strip away the lighter gases in Mars' atmosphere, such as hydrogen and helium, through a process known as sputtering.

3. What is atmospheric escape and how does it contribute to Mars' atmospheric loss?

Atmospheric escape is the process by which gas molecules in the upper atmosphere gain enough energy to overcome the planet's gravity and escape into space. This can occur due to a planet's magnetic field, which Mars lacks, or through thermal escape caused by high temperatures in the upper atmosphere.

4. How do geological processes play a role in Mars' atmospheric loss?

Volcanic activity and impacts from meteorites can release gases trapped in the Martian crust into the atmosphere. However, Mars' lack of a strong magnetic field means that these gases are more susceptible to being stripped away by solar wind.

5. Can Mars ever regain its lost atmosphere?

It is unlikely that Mars will regain its lost atmosphere in the near future. However, some proposals suggest terraforming the planet by introducing greenhouse gases to thicken the atmosphere and trap heat, which could potentially make the planet more hospitable for human colonization.

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