Mars, earth, and ice

Journal Article · Tue Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1986 · Sky Telesc.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7012723

Cordell, B M

Possible mechanisms to explain the global ice covering of Mars, and previous ice ages on the earth, are considered. Evidence for the Milankovitch effect is found in the close correspondence of earth's past climate with its orbital variations, as recorded principally in ocean sediments, and the role of CO/sub 2/ is discussed. Mars' range of obliquity, 10 times that of the earth, and orbital eccentricity, fluctuating over a range 2 1/2 times that of the earth, could produce an important climate-driving cycle. Mathematical models of the Martian surface and atmosphere based on Viking data suggest that escaped CO/sub 2/ could create a surface pressure of 1-3 bars. Other factors such as the effect of continental drift, the increased brightness of the sun, and planetary reversals of magnetic field polarity are discussed, and the questions of where Martian water and CO/sub 2/ have gone are considered.

• OSTI ID: 7012723
• Journal Information: Sky Telesc.; (United States), Vol. 72
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
MARS PLANET
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CARBON DIOXIDE
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
EARTH PLANET
GLACIERS
ICE
MAGNETIC FIELDS
PLANETARY ATMOSPHERES
ATMOSPHERES
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLANETS
640107* - Astrophysics & Cosmology- Planetary Phenomena