When
3:30 p.m., April 28, 2011
Where
Kuiper Space Sciences 308
Dr. Brian Toon, Chairman of the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, University of Colorado-Boulder, is the scheduled speaker.
"What Caused the Rivers on Mars: Greenhouse Gases or Impacts?"
Abstract:
Since Mariner 9 took images of Martian river valleys in 1971, we have struggled to understand how they were formed. Early Mars may have had a dense atmosphere with enough greenhouse gases to have maintained a balmy, wet climate. However, to date no one has managed to construct a climate model to support this theory and the river valleys remain a mystery. Recently, a new idea has emerged suggesting that asteroid impacts may have led to the release of water from beneath Mars’ surface.
This talk will explore how impacts could create rivers and control Mars’
early climate history.
"What Caused the Rivers on Mars: Greenhouse Gases or Impacts?"
Abstract:
Since Mariner 9 took images of Martian river valleys in 1971, we have struggled to understand how they were formed. Early Mars may have had a dense atmosphere with enough greenhouse gases to have maintained a balmy, wet climate. However, to date no one has managed to construct a climate model to support this theory and the river valleys remain a mystery. Recently, a new idea has emerged suggesting that asteroid impacts may have led to the release of water from beneath Mars’ surface.
This talk will explore how impacts could create rivers and control Mars’
early climate history.