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Solar wind sputtering effects in the atmospheres of Mars and Venus.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Watson, CC; Haff, PK; Tombrello, TA
Published in: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, Supplement
January 1, 1980

The consequences of the direct collisional interaction of an energetic particle flux with the neutral components of a planetary atmosphere were investigated. A combination of Monte Carlo simulations and analytical analysis suggests that solar wind sputtering could provide an important exospheric mass sink on both Mars and Venus under appropriate conditions. Sputtering of the venusian atmosphere may result in loss of He at the rate of approx 105 atoms/cm2-sec, and sputtering of the martian atmosphere could remove C, N, and O at the rates of 1 X 106 C atoms/cm2-sec, 5 X 105 N atoms/cm2-sec, and 3 X 106 O atoms/cm2-sec. Calculations based on a model martian atmosphere suggest that 99% of the N2 and 43% of the CO2 originally present could have been sputtered away over 4.5 X 109 yr. -P.Br.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, Supplement

Publication Date

January 1, 1980

Volume

14

Issue

3

Start / End Page

2479 / 2502
 

Citation

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MLA
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Watson, C. C., Haff, P. K., & Tombrello, T. A. (1980). Solar wind sputtering effects in the atmospheres of Mars and Venus. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, Supplement, 14(3), 2479–2502.
Watson, C. C., P. K. Haff, and T. A. Tombrello. “Solar wind sputtering effects in the atmospheres of Mars and Venus.Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, Supplement 14, no. 3 (January 1, 1980): 2479–2502.
Watson CC, Haff PK, Tombrello TA. Solar wind sputtering effects in the atmospheres of Mars and Venus. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, Supplement. 1980 Jan 1;14(3):2479–502.
Watson, C. C., et al. “Solar wind sputtering effects in the atmospheres of Mars and Venus.Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, Supplement, vol. 14, no. 3, Jan. 1980, pp. 2479–502.
Watson CC, Haff PK, Tombrello TA. Solar wind sputtering effects in the atmospheres of Mars and Venus. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, Supplement. 1980 Jan 1;14(3):2479–2502.

Published In

Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, Supplement

Publication Date

January 1, 1980

Volume

14

Issue

3

Start / End Page

2479 / 2502