More Dumb Terraforming Questions

[SpaceKiwi]

As the real estate maxim goes it's all about 'location, location, location' and, with that in mind, I would like to ask some potentially extremely silly terraforming questions of the experts about our Moon.<br /><br />Firstly, could it theoretically be possible to impart an atmosphere on the Moon? Will such an action always be the domain of sci-fi, or can anyone see a pathway by which technological development will allow us to make it a reality.<br /><br />Secondly, and related to this, does the moon have sufficient mass in order to hold an atmosphere to begin with? Is mass the crucial factor in determining whether a body could hold an atmosphere? What role does rotational speed play, and would theoretical adjustment of it help with an atmosphere and/or gravity?<br /><br />Assuming any of this is even theoretically possible, I guess water or lack thereof would always be the long pole in making the idea attractive? However, should terraforming become possible in our planet's future, would not the Moon become the prime candidate by virtue of it being in a better orbit than a Mars or a Venus?<br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em><font size="2" color="#ff0000">Who is this superhero?  Henry, the mild-mannered janitor ... could be!</font></em></p><p><em><font size="2">-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</font></em></p><p><font size="5">Bring Back The Black!</font></p> </div>

 

[newtonian]

SpaceKiwi - a quick answer since you just posted and I am now online:<br /><br />The moon would have less gravity than mars and therefore hold less of an atmosphere.<br /><br />Heavier gases would be held better, CO2 is heavier, plants need only a small amount of CO2 and O2.<br /><br />Hydrogen would escape, and water would suffer from photodissociation (=photolysis, compare electrolysis) and be separated: 2H2O + UV (ultraviolet) radiation yields 2H2 + O2.<br /><br />Remember, the moon has no ozone shield to protect water from photodissociation.<br /><br />Nor does Mars, but Mars has less radiation due to distance from sun.<br /><br />Photodissociation may have been an early pre-life source of Oxygen on earth - hnowever a very small amount, likely less than 1% - especially in view of the geological evidence. (e.g. how iron minerals vary over time in oxygen content).<br /><br />Remember, again, no ozone shield yields more photodissocitation of water.<br /><br />Ozone is a molecular form of Oxygen, btw.

 

[SpaceKiwi]

Thanks Newtonian. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em><font size="2" color="#ff0000">Who is this superhero?  Henry, the mild-mannered janitor ... could be!</font></em></p><p><em><font size="2">-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</font></em></p><p><font size="5">Bring Back The Black!</font></p> </div>

 

[vogon13]

Temperature is a big factor in atmosphere retention too.<br /><br />Our moon if placed in the outer solar system could retain an atmosphere for longish periods. {note our moon does not contain the necessary light elements to form an atmosphere, the materials would need to be brought in}<br /><br />Two brilliant posters here, Silylene and J8hart have done some amazing work on possible atmospheric retention by Iapetus. {their work may help explain the Cassini Regio area on Iapetus, and may also provide the basis for understanding the dark bottomed craters of Hyperion}<br /><br />Lack of atmospheres on the large moons of Jupiter may be explained by the suitable materials for such atmospheres was lost early during their formational period by the heating effect of the accreting Jupiter.<br /><br />Of course, Titan and Triton and Pluto are atmosphered, and studies are proceeding.<br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#ff0000"><strong>TPTB went to Dallas and all I got was Plucked !!</strong></font></p><p><font color="#339966"><strong>So many people, so few recipes !!</strong></font></p><p><font color="#0000ff"><strong>Let's clean up this stinkhole !!</strong></font> </p> </div>