AS101 Lecture Notes - Mariner 4, Sedimentary Rock, Clay Minerals
Document Summary
Rotation period: 24. 6 hours: rotation period is close to earth day. Much thinner than earth"s: less than 1% of the density. Size matters: larger planets have stronger gravity and can more easily hold onto gases. Temperature also makes a difference. (hotter planets lose their atmospheres more quickly). Volcanic activity (outgassing) can add to or replenish an atmosphere. On earth, life plays a big role. Small and irregularly shaped (less than 30km across) May be captured asteroids: composition appears to be different from the planet. Sunset looks blueish whereas rest of martian sky has redish colors. On earth, red light is enhanced and more of the blue light is getting out of the way, while this is opposite on mars. Very little water vapour in the atmosphere, and liquid water cannot exist on the surface because of the low pressure. Might have been life at one time.
