Space Station Info :: Nine Planet Solar System :: History of Mars :: Atmosphere of Mars

Atmosphere of Mars

The atmosphere of Mars is comparatively thin and the air pressure on the surface is only 750 Pascal, about 0.75 percent of the average on Earth. Though, the scale height of the atmosphere is about 11 km, fairly higher than Earth's 6 km.

The constituents of Mars include 95 percent carbon dioxide, 3 percent nitrogen, 1.6 percent argon, and traces of oxygen and water. Methane was apparently discovered in the atmosphere by Earth-based telescopes In 2003, and perhaps confirmed in March 2004 by the Mars Express Orbiter, present measurements state an average methane concentration of about 11±4 ppb by). The thin atmosphere cannot embrace heat and is the cause of the lower temperatures on Mars. The presence of methane on Mars would be very fascinating, since as an unstable gas it indicates that there must be a source of the gas on the planet.

Volcanic activity, comet impacts and the existence of life in the form of microorganisms such as methanogens are among possible however as yet unconfirmed sources.

The methane appears to occur in patches, which suggests that it is being hastily broken down before it has time to become uniformly distributed in the atmosphere.

In the winter months when the poles are in continual darkness, the surface gets so cold that as much as 25% of the entire atmosphere condenses out into meters thick slabs of CO2 ice. When the poles are again exposed to sunlight the CO2 ice sublimates, creating massive winds that sweep off the poles as fast as 250 mph. These continuing actions transfer large amounts of dust and water vapor giving rise to Earth-like frost and large cirrus clouds.

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Physical Characteristics of Mars
Atmosphere of Mars
Geology of Mars
Topography of Mars
Canals of Mars
The Moons Of Mars
Exploration Of Mars
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The Mars Flag