{"id":778138,"date":"2024-02-29T22:49:56","date_gmt":"2024-03-01T03:49:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/?p=778138"},"modified":"2024-02-29T22:49:56","modified_gmt":"2024-03-01T03:49:56","slug":"planetary-atmospheres-why-study-them-what-can-they-teach-us-about-finding-life-beyond-earth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/?p=778138","title":{"rendered":"Planetary Atmospheres: Why study them? What can they teach us about finding life beyond Earth?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p><em>Universe Today<\/em> has surveyed the importance of studying impact craters, planetary surfaces, exoplanets, astrobiology, solar physics, and comets, and what these fantastic scientific fields can teach researchers and space fans regarding the search for life beyond Earth. Here, we will discuss how planetary atmospheres play a key role in better understanding our solar system and beyond, including why researchers study planetary atmospheres, the benefits and challenges, what planetary atmospheres can teach us about finding life beyond Earth, and how upcoming students can pursue studying planetary atmospheres. So, why is it so important to study planetary atmospheres?<\/p>\n<p><span id=\"more-165970\"\/><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\n<p>\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Atmospheres of the Solar System\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Ig30Oyfq-Ls?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Dr. Brian Toon, who is a Professor and Research Scientist in the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences at the University of Colorado, Boulder, tells <em>Universe Today<\/em>, \u201cThere are many reasons to study planetary atmospheres.\u00a0For example, we think the sun was much dimmer in the early history of the solar system, yet Earth and Mars each were as warm or warmer than now.\u00a0How is this possible? Venus and Mars have carbon dioxide dominated atmospheres with more CO2 in the vertical column than Earth.\u00a0Yet one is colder than Earth and the other warmer.\u00a0Even though Venus is closer to the sun its clouds reflect so much light that it effectively has less sunlight than Earth, yet its surface is warm enough to melt lead.\u00a0How is this possible? We need to understand other atmospheres to understand the past and future of Earth.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Image of Mars with its thin atmosphere comprised primarily of carbon dioxide obtained by NASA\u2019s Viking 1 orbiter in 1976. (Credit: NASA) <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/www.universetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Venus_-_May_23_2018-750.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-165975\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.universetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Venus_-_May_23_2018-750.jpg 750w, https:\/\/www.universetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Venus_-_May_23_2018-750-580x580.jpg 580w, https:\/\/www.universetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Venus_-_May_23_2018-750-250x250.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.universetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Venus_-_May_23_2018-750-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 706px) 89vw, (max-width: 767px) 82vw, 740px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ultraviolet and filtered image of Venus with its thick and cloudy atmosphere obtained by the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency\u2019s (JAXA) <em>Akatsuki<\/em>\u00a0spacecraft on May 23, 2018. (Credit: JAXA\/ISAS\/DARTS\/Kevin M. Gill) <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Aside from Earth, Venus, and Mars, the other planetary bodies in our solar system that possess atmospheres include Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, dwarf planet Pluto, and Saturn\u2019s largest moon, Titan, which is the only solar system moon with a dense atmosphere. The formation and evolution of these atmospheres are what scientists are attempting to better understand via computer models that are often combined with data obtained by ground- or space-based telescopes. Through this, scientists have learned, and continue to learn, a great deal about the atmospheres of these intriguing and mysterious worlds that inhabit our solar system. But even with all the instruments and technological advancements, what are some of the benefits and challenges of studying planetary atmospheres?<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"844\" src=\"https:\/\/www.universetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Purple_haze_around_Titan_pillars-750.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-165973\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.universetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Purple_haze_around_Titan_pillars-750.jpg 750w, https:\/\/www.universetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Purple_haze_around_Titan_pillars-750-515x580.jpg 515w, https:\/\/www.universetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Purple_haze_around_Titan_pillars-750-222x250.jpg 222w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 706px) 89vw, (max-width: 767px) 82vw, 740px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Image of Saturn\u2019s largest moon, Titan, and its dense atmosphere comprised of nitrogen and methane obtained by NASA\u2019s Cassini spacecraft on July 3, 2004. (Credit: NASA\/JPL\/Space Science Institute) <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cThe same climate models used for Earth are now used for other planets, such as Mars,\u201d\u00a0Dr. Toon tells Universe Today. \u201cWhen the models fail on Earth it is tempting to force them to match Earth data rather than fixing the physics and chemistry in the models.\u00a0Having the examples from other planets force us to look for errors in Earth models or in our understanding of how Earth climate models work.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Planetary atmospheres within our own solar system range from sulfuric acid and carbon dioxide (Venus) to carbon dioxide (Mars) to hydrogen and helium (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune) to nitrogen and methane (Titan and Pluto). Despite the sulfuric acid within Venus\u2019 atmosphere, past studies have postulated the possibility of Venus\u2019 higher altitudes potentially having the ingredients to support life as we know it. Therefore, these unique worlds could offer a glimpse of what scientists could find beyond our solar system, known as exoplanets. But what can studying planetary atmospheres within our own solar system teach us about exoplanet atmospheres?<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\n<p>\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Is There Alien Life On Venus? | Planet Explorers | BBC Earth Science\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/7iRMDTdiHlU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Dr. Toon tells <em>Universe Today<\/em>, \u201cWe expect a wide range of exoplanetary atmospheres, some are so hot that they likely are raining metals. Even in the solar system there are planets raining condensed natural gas.\u00a0So, the solar system planets are analogs for exoplanets, but there are definitely exoplanets very different from solar system planets.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Since the distance to exoplanets ranges from a few light-years to hundreds of light-years, it takes extremely powerful instruments to study their atmospheres. One example is NASA\u2019s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), which has examined the atmospheres of several exoplanets, including WASP-39 b, which is located just under 700 light-years from Earth. With its powerful infrared instruments, JWST successfully identified water, carbon dioxide, and potassium on this Jupiter-sized world. As demonstrated on Earth, water is essential for life as we know it. Therefore, finding water on an exoplanet could indicate its likelihood for life, as well.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"422\" src=\"https:\/\/www.universetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/STScI-01GJ3Q7NW7NZ43AQHX8D6AXQ7Q-750.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-165972\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.universetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/STScI-01GJ3Q7NW7NZ43AQHX8D6AXQ7Q-750.jpg 750w, https:\/\/www.universetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/STScI-01GJ3Q7NW7NZ43AQHX8D6AXQ7Q-750-580x326.jpg 580w, https:\/\/www.universetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/STScI-01GJ3Q7NW7NZ43AQHX8D6AXQ7Q-750-250x141.jpg 250w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 706px) 89vw, (max-width: 767px) 82vw, 740px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Atmospheric data of WASP-39 b obtained from NASA\u2019s James Webb Space Telescope, which identified water, carbon dioxide, and potassium. (Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, Joseph Olmsted (STScI))<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\n<p>\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Light from Distant Worlds: Exoplanet atmospheres revealed by JWST | University of Bristol\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/iPP1n80EpNE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p>However, out of the almost 5,600 confirmed exoplanets as of this writing, only 69 are deemed potentially habitable. This is primarily due to their orbit residing within their star\u2019s habitable zone (HZ), meaning they orbit at the correct distance from their star for liquid water to potentially exist on its surface, assuming the exoplanet is terrestrial (rocky) like Earth. But finding water within an exoplanet\u2019s atmosphere could also pose the prospect for finding life, as well. Therefore, what can studying planetary atmospheres teach us about finding life beyond Earth?<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe Earth\u2019s atmosphere is out of chemical balance due to emissions of various gases by life,\u201d Dr. Toon tells <em>Universe Today<\/em>.\u00a0\u201cFor example, the oxygen in Earth\u2019s atmosphere is not compatible with the methane in the atmosphere.\u00a0The methane is largely a waste product of life.\u00a0So, trying to detect life elsewhere is most likely going to start with looking at the chemistry of exoplanet atmospheres for signs of chemical imbalance.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\n<p>\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"NASA | Alien Atmospheres\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/CcUhVCMAhAI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p>The scientific discipline responsible for studying planetary atmospheres is known as atmospheric science and encompasses several subdisciplines, including computer science, astronomy, physics, and meteorology, just to name a few. It is through constant collaboration and innovation of these subdisciplines that allows scientists to study planetary atmospheres both within and beyond our solar system. As noted, the planetary atmospheres within our solar system provide a wide range of diversity and scientists have observed the same diversity on exoplanets, as well. So, what is the most exciting planetary atmosphere(s) that Dr. Toon has studied during his career?<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI have studied every atmosphere in the solar system, and some exoplanets,\u201d Dr. Toon tells <em>Universe Today<\/em>. \u201cThe most interesting is Mars, because there is a lot of data for Mars, and Mars once had a climate more like Earth\u2019s than the barren desert it is now.\u00a0Titan, a moon of Saturn is also interesting because it has methane rain, and lakes and seas of hydrocarbons.\u00a0It also is shrouded in a haze composed of complex organic material.\u201d Additionally, what advice can Dr. Toon offer upcoming students who wish to pursue studying planetary atmospheres?<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\n<p>\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Mysteries of the Planetary Atmospheres: From Venus to Titan \/ Mindshit life\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/G_g9RvBLaGU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p>\u201cI suggest students first learn about the Earth\u2019s atmosphere,\u201d Dr. Toon tells <em>Universe Today<\/em>. \u201cIt is surprising how many astronomers looking at planetary atmospheres don\u2019t know about parallels with Earth.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>How will planetary atmospheres help us better understand our place in the universe in the coming years and decades? Only time will tell, and this is why we science!<\/p>\n<p><em>As always, keep doing science &amp; keep looking up!<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"sharedaddy sd-block sd-like jetpack-likes-widget-wrapper jetpack-likes-widget-unloaded\" id=\"like-post-wrapper-24000880-165970-65e14f7520d46\" data-src=\"https:\/\/widgets.wp.com\/likes\/?ver=13.1.3#blog_id=24000880&amp;post_id=165970&amp;origin=www.universetoday.com&amp;obj_id=24000880-165970-65e14f7520d46&amp;n=1\" data-name=\"like-post-frame-24000880-165970-65e14f7520d46\" data-title=\"Like or Reblog\">\n<h3 class=\"sd-title\">Like this:<\/h3>\n<p><span class=\"button\"><span>Like<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"loading\">Loading&#8230;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"sd-text-color\"\/><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.universetoday.com\/165970\/planetary-atmospheres-why-study-them-what-can-they-teach-us-about-finding-life-beyond-earth\/?rand=772204\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Universe Today has surveyed the importance of studying impact craters, planetary surfaces, exoplanets, astrobiology, solar physics, and comets, and what these fantastic scientific fields can teach researchers and space fans&hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":778139,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-778138","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-genaero"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/778138","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=778138"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/778138\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/778139"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=778138"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=778138"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=778138"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}