Greenhouse gases - Revision history

RichardWSmith: /* Beyond the Earth */ Mars has a lower Black Body temperature than Mars. This may change the ideal mix of gases.

2022-08-13T01:25:35Z

Beyond the Earth: Mars has a lower Black Body temperature than Mars. This may change the ideal mix of gases.

RichardWSmith: Several minor changes and added a section on how life will change the greenhouse gases in Mars' atmosphere.

2022-08-12T06:31:12Z

Several minor changes and added a section on how life will change the greenhouse gases in Mars' atmosphere.

RichardWSmith: /* Explanation */ Added link.

2022-07-23T16:34:36Z

Explanation: Added link.

Michel Lamontagne at 17:48, 29 October 2021

2021-10-29T17:48:41Z

RichardWSmith: Added various details and made link to SGG page.

2021-05-09T01:38:55Z

Added various details and made link to SGG page.

Jburk at 23:15, 17 December 2018

2018-12-17T23:15:01Z

Strangelv: categorization; double-check as there may be better category choices

2015-04-13T19:16:36Z

categorization; double-check as there may be better category choices

ChristiaanK: Forgot the fuller explanation.

2013-02-04T16:32:05Z

Forgot the fuller explanation.

ChristiaanK: Created page

2013-02-04T16:30:45Z

Created page

New page

Greenhouse gases are gases which are more transparent in the visual spectrum than in the thermal ([[infrared radiation|infrared]]) spectrum. In the atmosphere of a planet, these gases will cause a higher surface temperature.

==Explanation==
Because the sun's emissions peak in the visual range, visible light passes through such gas relatively unhindered and heats up the surface below. When the planet re-emits the energy as blackbody radiation, it is in the infrared range due to the planet's comparatively low temperature.

The greenhouse gases are opaque at these frequencies and will absorb much of the radiation, heating up in the process. This results in a higher average surface temperature than without the greenhouse gases.

==Beyond the Earth==
For greatest effect, the greenhouse gas must be as opaque as possible in the range of blackbody radiation from the planet and as transparent as possible in the range of its star's peak output. Since Mars has the same sun as the Earth and a similar (if lower) temperature, the effectiveness of greenhouse gasses would not be severely different.

==Examples==
*[[Carbon dioxide]]
*[[Methane]]

@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
 ==Beyond the Earth==
-For greatest effect, the greenhouse gas must be as opaque as possible in the range of blackbody radiation from the planet and as transparent as possible in the range of its star's peak output. Since Mars has the same sun as the Earth and a similar (if lower) temperature, the effectiveness of greenhouse gasses would not be severely different.
+For greatest effect, the greenhouse gas must be as opaque as possible in the range of blackbody radiation from the planet and as transparent as possible in the range of its star's peak output. Since Mars has the same sun as the Earth and a similar (if lower) temperature, the effectiveness of greenhouse gasses would not be severely different, but the BEST greenhouse gas will absorb infra-red light at temperatures cooler than Earth.  As Mars warms, the mix of gases will approach the ones with the same warming potential as Earth.
 ==Life Generated Greenhouse Gases==

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-Greenhouse gases are gases which are more transparent in the visual spectrum than in the thermal ([[infrared radiation|infrared]]) spectrum. In the atmosphere of a planet, these gases will increase surface temperature.
+Greenhouse gases are gases which are more transparent in the visual spectrum than in the thermal ([[infrared radiation|infrared]]) spectrum.  In the atmosphere of a planet, these gases will hold heat that would be lost to space, in the air.  This will increase the surface temperature.
 ==Explanation==
-Because the sun's emissions peak in the visual range, visible light passes through such gas relatively unhindered and heats up the surface below. When the planet re-emits the energy as blackbody radiation, it is in the infrared range due to the planet's comparatively low temperature.
+Because the sun's emissions peak in the visual range, visible light passes through such gas relatively unhindered and heats up the surface below. (On Mars, the dust in the atmosphere also causes signifiant heating.)  When the planet re-emits the energy as blackbody radiation, it is in the infrared range due to the planet's comparatively low temperature.
 The greenhouse gases are opaque at these frequencies and will absorb much of the radiation, heating up in the process. Alternatively, they may be reflective in the thermal range and simply reflect the radiation back down. This results in a higher average surface temperature than without the greenhouse gases.
-Many natural gases (including CO2, CH4, NH3, NO2) are greenhouse gases, but artificial [[Super Greenhouse Gases]] such as [[Carbon Tetrafluoride]] can be created which are very long lived in the atmosphere, and will warm the planet hundreds or thousands of times more effectively than carbon dioxide (CO2).  People have estimated that it would cost half a billion dollars per year to warm the planet with such gases.
+Many natural gases (including CO2, CH4, NH3, NO2) are greenhouse gases, but artificial [[Super Greenhouse Gases]] such as [[Carbon Tetrafluoride]] can be created which are very long lived in the atmosphere, and will warm the planet hundreds or thousands of times more effectively than carbon dioxide (CO2).  People have estimated that it would cost half a billion dollars per year to warm the planet with such gases.  (See the [[Super Greenhouse Gases]] article for more discussion.)
 Water is a powerful greenhouse gas, but if its concentration rises, it soon precipitates out of the atmosphere.  Thus though it contributes to global warming, it is a constant and does not force global warming.
@@ Line 13: / Line 13: @@
 For greatest effect, the greenhouse gas must be as opaque as possible in the range of blackbody radiation from the planet and as transparent as possible in the range of its star's peak output. Since Mars has the same sun as the Earth and a similar (if lower) temperature, the effectiveness of greenhouse gasses would not be severely different.
-==Examples==
+==Life Generated Greenhouse Gases==
 *[[Carbon dioxide]]

@@ Line 6: / Line 6: @@
 The greenhouse gases are opaque at these frequencies and will absorb much of the radiation, heating up in the process. Alternatively, they may be reflective in the thermal range and simply reflect the radiation back down. This results in a higher average surface temperature than without the greenhouse gases.
-Many natural gases (including CO2, CH4, NH3, NO2) are greenhouse gases, but artificial [[Super Greenhouse Gases]] can be created which are very long lived in the atmosphere, and will warm the planet hundreds or thousands of times more effectively than carbon dioxide (CO2).  People have estimated that it would cost half a billion dollars per year to warm the planet with such gases.
+Many natural gases (including CO2, CH4, NH3, NO2) are greenhouse gases, but artificial [[Super Greenhouse Gases]] such as [[Carbon Tetrafluoride]] can be created which are very long lived in the atmosphere, and will warm the planet hundreds or thousands of times more effectively than carbon dioxide (CO2).  People have estimated that it would cost half a billion dollars per year to warm the planet with such gases.
 Water is a powerful greenhouse gas, but if its concentration rises, it soon precipitates out of the atmosphere.  Thus though it contributes to global warming, it is a constant and does not force global warming.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-Greenhouse gases are gases which are more transparent in the visual spectrum than in the thermal ([[infrared radiation|infrared]]) spectrum. In the atmosphere of a planet, these gases will cause a higher surface temperature.
+Greenhouse gases are gases which are more transparent in the visual spectrum than in the thermal ([[infrared radiation|infrared]]) spectrum. In the atmosphere of a planet, these gases will increase surface temperature.
 ==Explanation==
@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 Many natural gases (including CO2, CH4, NH3, NO2) are greenhouse gases, but artificial [[Super Greenhouse Gases]] can be created which are very long lived in the atmosphere, and will warm the planet hundreds or thousands of times more effectively than carbon dioxide (CO2).  People have estimated that it would cost half a billion dollars per year to warm the planet with such gases.
-Water is a powerful greenhouse gas, but if its concentration rises, it soon participates out of the atmosphere.  Thus tho it contributes to global warming, it is a constant and does not force global warming.
+Water is a powerful greenhouse gas, but if its concentration rises, it soon precipitates out of the atmosphere.  Thus though it contributes to global warming, it is a constant and does not force global warming.
 ==Beyond the Earth==

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:15, 17 December 2018
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	*[[Methane]]		*[[Methane]]

−	[[Category:~~Environment~~]]	+	[[Category:Atmospheric Sciences]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:16, 13 April 2015
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	*[[Carbon dioxide]]		*[[Carbon dioxide]]
	*[[Methane]]		*[[Methane]]
		+
		+	[[Category:Environment]]