AST 111 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: The Moons, Photosynthesis, Thermosphere
Document Summary
The original atmosphere would be very high in co2. The atmosphere was changed by early life: photosynthesis, ammonia. A little bit of co2 trace amounts of other gasses. They tend to be efficient absorbers of uv, so the temperature increases (again!!) It is the interaction of the gas in the thermosphere and particles from the sun that causes the aurora. The biosphere is a small band of livable area starting a few miles down in the crust to a few miles up in the troposphere. Humans are hurting the biosphere: we are chopping down the rainforests. Reducing the amount of co2 processed into o2: putting too much co2 in to the atmosphere. What are the consequences: global warming/climate change!!!! Venus formed too close to the sun and became too hot. Mars formed too far from the sun and became too cold, and has a very thin co2 layer.
