Mars Atmosphere Question

[gawin]

OK lets see if I can ask this in a way that makes sense<br /><br />The earth is protected from solar radiation in a large part by the magnetosphere. This is caused by the core of the earth spinning faster then the surface. <br /><br />Now to the question. Could Mars at one time have had a similar magnetosphere thus protecting its atmosphere? <br /><br />Now here is why I think that the core of Mars stopped spinning <total guess but sounds good /> When Olympus Mons erupted it expelled so much magma that it caused the core to stop spinning stopping not only the magnetosphere but also tectonic activity. Thus exposing Mars to the solar radiation burning off most of its atmosphere.

 

[brellis]

I'm way way outta my league here, but I recall reading an Astronomy Mag article that blamed it on a gigantic impact. I hope someone who really knows responds to your query... <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font size="2" color="#ff0000"><em><strong>I'm a recovering optimist - things could be better.</strong></em></font> </p> </div>

 

[Kalstang]

Well I really dont know and I doubt you'll find anyone that really does know. But we can all take a guess <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> .<br /><br />I favor the deep impact theory. I really cant see a volcano even as big as Olympus Mons being able to spew enough magma to stop the inner core from spinning. Though I guess it is possible. I think that the deep impact has a better chance tho. Especially if you consider how it may have hit. If it hit at just the right angle then it very well could have made the outer crust start spinning closer to the direction that the core of Mars was spinning. In effect "slowing" it down. Hope thats understandable....Lets see if I cant give an example of what I mean. <br /><br />Note that these next sentances are just an example and in no way states as fact that these are the actual speeds of Mar's crust or core. For this reason i'm useing extremely small numbers. <br /><br />Example: <br /><br />Before Impact: <br />Mars core speed = 50mph and is turning "west"<br />Mars crust speed = 50mph and is turning "east"<br /><br />After Impact:<br />Mars core speed = 50mph and is turning "west"<br />Mars crust speed = 10mph and is turning "east"<br /><br />Because there is less "friction" between the core and the crust there is less of a magnetosphere. Due to the impact several storms and extreme shifting of plates which causes volcanoes to erupt all evidence of this major of an impact washed away most if not all evidence of an impact. Not to mention the few billion of years between its age and us being alive and aware of it. <br /><br />This is all theory and has no fact to back up any of it. Not to mention it was just an example of what I meant. <br /><br />Another theory thats been played around is that the astroid belt between the Earth and Mars was once another planet. Something happened which caused it to explode. This could be a reason that Mars couldve had an impact large enough to slow down its crust compared to its core. <br /><br />One last Note <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font color="#ffff00"><p><font color="#3366ff">I have an answer for everything...you may not like the answer or it may not satisfy your curiosity..but it will still be an answer.</font> <br /><font color="#ff0000">"Imagination is more important then Knowledge" ~Albert Einstien~</font> <br /><font color="#cc99ff">Guns dont kill people. People kill people</font>.</p></font><p><font color="#ff6600">Solar System</font></p> </div>

 

[yevaud]

<i>I do not claim any of this as fact. I only claim that it is a POSSIBILITY.</i><br /><br />A good policy.<br /><br /><i>Another theory thats been played around is that the astroid belt between the Earth and Mars was once another planet. Something happened which caused it to explode. This could be a reason that Mars couldve had an impact large enough to slow down its crust compared to its core.</i><br /><br />Sorry, no. This idea (pushed by Van Flandern) is beyond science fiction. There is no credible mechanism for this event to occur; it has never been seen. Further, FYI, the total mass of the debris that is the Asteroid Belt is 1/10,000 the mass of the Earth. Not even remotely a planet.<br /><br />I might add, TVF has some equally fantasy-based ideas as to where the "missing mass" went.<br /><br />In short, this is a fantasy tale spun by a glib money-maker, with a schtick and a degree to supposedly back it up.<br /><br />Thought you'd like to know. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Differential Diagnosis:  </em>"<strong><em>I am both amused and annoyed that you think I should be less stubborn than you are</em></strong>."<br /> </p> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

While it is possible, AFAIK, that Mars may have had a magnetosphere (There appear to be relics of it in some spots) Mars is too small to sustain a dynamo for long.<br /><br />And the most likely reason for Mars' atmosphere being gone is it's weak gravity.<br />Hydrogen can easily escape. If there was water (which seems likely?) photodissiciation would have split it to Hydrogen and Oxygen. Hydrogen's gone, oxygen's in the surface.<br /><br />CO2 can be retained most easily of the common gases, hence is most of the remaining atmosphere.<br /><br />Other explanations are possible, but this is the most likely and easily explains the current situation. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[Kalstang]

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p><i>I do not claim any of this as fact. I only claim that it is a POSSIBILITY.</i> <br /><br />A good policy. <p><hr /></p></p></blockquote><br /><br />I've had to repeat this alot lately thanks to Stevehw33...seems he cant tell the difference or something prolly why I stated it so much in that post... lol <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font color="#ffff00"><p><font color="#3366ff">I have an answer for everything...you may not like the answer or it may not satisfy your curiosity..but it will still be an answer.</font> <br /><font color="#ff0000">"Imagination is more important then Knowledge" ~Albert Einstien~</font> <br /><font color="#cc99ff">Guns dont kill people. People kill people</font>.</p></font><p><font color="#ff6600">Solar System</font></p> </div>

 

[Boris_Badenov]

First;<br /><br /> <font color="orange"> Boris bows to MeteorWaynes supeior knowlege </font><br /><br /> It is theorized that Mars did indeed have a Magnetosphere at one time, but it gave out a couple of billion years after Mars formed. Here’s a link.<br /><br />http://www-spc.igpp.ucla.edu/personnel/russell/papers/mars_mag/<br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font color="#993300"><span class="body"><font size="2" color="#3366ff"><div align="center">. </div><div align="center">Never roll in the mud with a pig. You'll both get dirty & the pig likes it.</div></font></span></font> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

Please, no bowing.<br />Just throw a quarter in the guitar case.<br /><br />I was just going on what I recalled, thanks for the link. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[yevaud]

That's Atmospheric Escape Velocity for you. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Differential Diagnosis:  </em>"<strong><em>I am both amused and annoyed that you think I should be less stubborn than you are</em></strong>."<br /> </p> </div>

 

[Kalstang]

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>That's Atmospheric Escape Velocity for you.<p><hr /></p></p></blockquote><br /><br />ACK!! YEVAUD IS GOING TO STRAP METEORWAYNE ONTO A ROCKET!!!! /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font color="#ffff00"><p><font color="#3366ff">I have an answer for everything...you may not like the answer or it may not satisfy your curiosity..but it will still be an answer.</font> <br /><font color="#ff0000">"Imagination is more important then Knowledge" ~Albert Einstien~</font> <br /><font color="#cc99ff">Guns dont kill people. People kill people</font>.</p></font><p><font color="#ff6600">Solar System</font></p> </div>

 

[yevaud]

<img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" /><br /><br />No, it's how a body retains or loses it's atmosphere, and depends on the planet's gravitation, average global temperature, and whether or not there is a magnetosphere.<br /><br />It's the "missing equation" when most people try to discuss the "Greenhouse Effect." <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Differential Diagnosis:  </em>"<strong><em>I am both amused and annoyed that you think I should be less stubborn than you are</em></strong>."<br /> </p> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

I'd rather take an ET UFO, if one would be kind enough to ask. Guess they just don't like me <img src="/images/icons/frown.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[Kalstang]

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>No, it's how a body retains or loses it's atmosphere, and depends on the planet's gravitation, average global temperature, and whether or not there is a magnetosphere.<p><hr /></p></p></blockquote><br /><br />lol I know...just couldnt pass up the picture in my mind of Wile E' Coyote sitting on the rocket trying to catch the Road Runner being applied to you doing that to MW /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font color="#ffff00"><p><font color="#3366ff">I have an answer for everything...you may not like the answer or it may not satisfy your curiosity..but it will still be an answer.</font> <br /><font color="#ff0000">"Imagination is more important then Knowledge" ~Albert Einstien~</font> <br /><font color="#cc99ff">Guns dont kill people. People kill people</font>.</p></font><p><font color="#ff6600">Solar System</font></p> </div>

 

[yevaud]

"Wile E. Coyote...Super Genius." Uh huh. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Differential Diagnosis:  </em>"<strong><em>I am both amused and annoyed that you think I should be less stubborn than you are</em></strong>."<br /> </p> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

Right up there with "The Brain"<br /><br />"What are going to do today, Brain?"<br />"Try and take over the world!" <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[yevaud]

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking, Pinky?"<br /><br />"Yeah, but Brain - how are we going to get the leather chaps onto the Chicken?"<br /><br />*Narf!* <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Differential Diagnosis:  </em>"<strong><em>I am both amused and annoyed that you think I should be less stubborn than you are</em></strong>."<br /> </p> </div>