Abstract
THE channels on Mars1,2 suggest that a flowing fluid has been present on the surface of the planet. It seems natural to assume that this fluid was water. The major difficulty, however, is that water freezes in climatic conditions like those now3,4 on Mars. It has been suggested5–7 that primitive Mars had a reducing atmosphere, composed mainly of methane. Such an atmosphere, as we show here, could be polymerised by solar ultraviolet radiation to produce higher hydrocarbons. These compounds are low viscosity liquids at today's temperature on Mars, and could contribute to the formation of channels.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Masursky, H. J. geophys. Res. 78, 4009–4030 (1973).
Masursky, H. et al. J. geophys. Res. 82, 4016–4038 (1977).
Milton, D. J. J. geophys. Res. 78, 4037–304 (1973).
Sharp, R. P. & Malin, M. C. Geol. Soc. Am. Bull. 86, 593–609 (1975).
Sagan, C. & Mullen, G. Science 177, 52–56 (1972).
Sagan, C. Nature 269, 224–226 (1977).
Pollack, J. B. (in preparation).
Yung, Y. L., Strobel, D. F., Kong, T. Y. & McElroy, M. B. Icarus 30, 26–41 (1977).
Strobel, D. F. J. atmos. Sci. 30, 489–498 (1973).
Lasaga, A. C., Holland, H. D. & Dwyer, M. J. Science 174, 53–55 (1971).
McElroy, M. B. Science 175, 443–445 (1972).
Holland, H. D. Petrologic Studies 447–477 (Geological Society of America, New York 1962).
Yung, Y. L. & McElroy, M. B. Bull Am. astr. Soc. 9, 497 (1977).
Hunten, D. M. (ed.) The Atmosphere of Titan (Ames Research Center, California, 1973).
Conklin, E. K., Ulich, B. L. & Dickel, J. R. Bull. Am. astr. Soc. 9, 471 (1977).
Mount, G. H., Warden, E. S. & Moos, H. W. Astrophys. J. 214, L47–L49 (1977).
Hampson, R. F. & Garvin, D. (NBS Tech. Note 866 (NBS, Washington D. C., 1975).
Calvert, J. G. & Pitts, J. N. Photochemistry (Wiley, New York, 1966).
Payne, W. A. & Stief, L. J. J. chem. Phys. 64, 1150–1155 (1976).
Keil, D. J. et al. Int. J. Chem. Kient. 8, 825–857 (1976).
Pilling, M. J. & Robertson, J. A. JCS Faraday Trans. I 73, 968–984 (1977).
Parkes, D. A. et al. JCS Faraday Trans I 72, 1935–1951 (1976).
Handbook of Chemistry and Physics (CRC Press, Cleveland, 1976).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
YUNG, Y., PINTO, J. Primitive atmosphere and implications for the formation of channels on Mars. Nature 273, 730–732 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1038/273730a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/273730a0
This article is cited by
-
Paleolakes on Mars
Journal of Paleolimnology (1995)
-
Martian lake basins and lacustrine plains
Earth, Moon, and Planets (1992)
-
The early atmospheres of earth and Mars
Origins of life and evolution of the biosphere (1986)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
