NATS 1880 Chapter Notes - Chapter 8: Allan Hills 84001, Olympus Mons, Axial Tilt
Document Summary
Atmosphere, while thin, moderates temperature extremes (it was thicker) Pressurized habitats and option for humans and crops. Gravity about 40% and diurnal (daily) cycle almost identical to earth"s. Atmospheric pressure too low to allow liquid water. Therefore liquid water is unstable on martian surface (freezes and/or evaporate almost immediately) Orbital period nearly twice the length of earth. Recall kepler"s 2nd law: planets move faster when closer to the sun. Winter: ice caps larger co2 freezes out of the atmosphere. Residual northern polar ice cap in summer (water ice) Earth"s sky is blue large scattering of blue light. Martian atmosphere is so thin sky would normally appear black except for the impact of wind, stirring up and suspending dust in the air. Total surface area = land area of earth. Northern mars: smooth and flat ; southern mars: heavily cratered. The largest volcano in the solar system, olympus mons.
