Astronomy
1st Edition
ISBN: 9781938168284
Author: Andrew Fraknoi; David Morrison; Sidney C. Wolff
Publisher: OpenStax
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Textbook Question
Chapter 10, Problem 4E
Describe the current atmosphere on Mars. What evidence suggests that it must have been different in the past?
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CO2 and planetary warming: understanding Earth’s complicated atmosphere Mars has an atmospheric pressure of 6 mbar (compared with Earth atmosphere pressure of 1013 mbar), 96% of which is CO2. The average calculated temperature of Mars is -57°C, whereas the actual average temperature is -55°C so that the amount of warming due to CO2 is only 2°C. On the other hand, the average calculated temperature of Earth, with 0.4 mbar of CO2, is -19°C, whereas the actual average temperature is 15°C so that the amount of warming due to CO2 is 34°C, much greater than that on Mars, which has higher CO2 concentration. Explain how this is possible.
Which of the following planetary traits is well established?
choose one of the following:
a) Mercury has a similar compositon to that of our moon, in that they both have a substantial metal content.
b) Venus rotates more rapidly than Earth, but in the opposite direction.
c) Earth's atmosphere exhibits a slightly stronger greenhouse effect than that seen on Venus.
d)Astronomers have precisely calculated the mass of Mercury thanks to artificial satellites sent from Earth.
What is one of the Mars missions that is currently operating and write about the mission’s history, goals, and accomplishments to date.
Chapter 10 Solutions
Astronomy
Ch. 10 - List several ways that Venus, Earth, and Mars are...Ch. 10 - Compare the current atmospheres of Earth, Venus,...Ch. 10 - How might Venus’ atmosphere have evolved to its...Ch. 10 - Describe the current atmosphere on Mars. What...Ch. 10 - Explain the runaway refrigerator effect and the...Ch. 10 - What evidence do we have that there was running...Ch. 10 - What evidence is there that Venus was volcanically...Ch. 10 - Why is Mars red?Ch. 10 - What is the composition of clouds on Mars?Ch. 10 - What is the composition of the polar caps on Mars?
Ch. 10 - Describe two anomalous features of the rotation of...Ch. 10 - How was the Mars Odyssey spacecraft able to detect...Ch. 10 - What are the advantages of using radar imaging...Ch. 10 - Venus and Earth are nearly the same size and...Ch. 10 - Why is there so much more carbon dioxide in the...Ch. 10 - If the Viking missions were such a rich source of...Ch. 10 - Compare Mars with Mercury and the Moon in terms of...Ch. 10 - Contrast the mountains on Mars and Venus with...Ch. 10 - We believe that all of the terrestrial planets had...Ch. 10 - Is it likely that life ever existed on either...Ch. 10 - Suppose that, decades from now, NASA is...Ch. 10 - We believe that Venus, Earth, and Mars all started...Ch. 10 - One source of information about Mars has been the...Ch. 10 - The runaway greenhouse effect and its inverse, the...Ch. 10 - In what way is the high surface temperature of...Ch. 10 - What is a dust devil? Would you expect to feel...Ch. 10 - Near the martian equator, temperatures at the same...Ch. 10 - Estimate the amount of water there could be in a...Ch. 10 - At its nearest, Venus comes within about 41...Ch. 10 - If you weigh 150 lbs. on the surface of Earth, how...Ch. 10 - Calculate the relative land area-that is, the...Ch. 10 - The closest approach distance between Mars and...
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- The runaway greenhouse effect and its inverse, the runaway refrigerator effect, have led to harsh, uninhabitable conditions on Venus and Mars. Does the greenhouse effect always cause climate changes leading to loss of water and life? Give a reason for your answer.arrow_forwardExplain the runaway refrigerator effect and the role it may have played in the evolution of Mars.arrow_forwardOne source of information about Mars has been the analysis of meteorites from Mars. Since no samples from Mars have ever been returned to Earth from any of the missions we sent there, how do we know these meteorites are from Mars? What information have they revealed about Mars?arrow_forward
- What evidence do we have that there was running (liquid) water on Mars in the past? What evidence is there for water coming out of the ground even today?arrow_forwardHow are todays atmospheres of Venus and Mars similar? How are they different?arrow_forwardGo to the home page for NASA’s Mars Exploration Program, and look for the latest evidence concerning recent water flows on Mars. Write a few paragraphs describing the new evidence and what it tells us about the planet’s past.arrow_forward
- Activity #1. Compare and Contrast. Similarities and differences of Venus, Earth and Mars. Do this on a separate sheet of paper. 1. Compare and contrast the three (3) terrestrial planets using table 1. 2. Provide explanations for your observations using table 2. 3. Answer the following guide questions. Guide questions: 1. Does planet size affect gravity? 2. Why do you think Venus has the highest mean temperature among the three planets? 3. Is presence of water a primary factor for a planet to sustain life? Why or why not? 4. Based on your observations using table 2, what are the notable features that makes the earth the only habitable planet among the three terrestrial planets? 5. What conclusions can you make?arrow_forwardWhat is the runaway greenhouse effect, and how might it have altered the climate of Venus?arrow_forwardWhich of these surface features, discovered by the first spacecraft mission (Mariner 4) to Mars, was NOT expected to be seen on Mars? Answers: A. craters B. giant volcanoes C. expansive canyons D. canals E. running waterarrow_forward
- Why doesn't Mars have active volcanoes today? A) all of the lava already escaped B) the planet lost its internal heat to cold space C) the volcanoes are just dormant and will erupt againarrow_forwardLearn about current and planned missions to study a terrestrial planet's atmosphere (including Earth). Write a one-page essay describing the mission and the lessons learned.arrow_forwardThe principle cause of our intense interest in Mars in the decades before the dawn of the space age was that Answers: A. a few astronomers believed that they saw evidence of an intelligent civilization on Mars. B. Mars has seasons just like the Earth and therefore should be inhabitable by humans. C. Mars has an unusual surface color and global dust storms, creating strange weather patterns. D. Mars has unusual orbital properties making our understanding of its motion around the Sun very difficult.arrow_forward
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