Atmosphere Of Mars

[Peter Pedant]

How did they know what the atmosphere in mars was like 4 bn y ago.

Was it a guess - a bit like todays Tesco's profits or was it evidence based ?

[FrogNog]

meteorites from Mars have the martian atmosphere trapped within them.

[Peter Pedant]

do they have a flag on them - saying I am from Mars ?
in other words how do they know ?

[FrogNog]

They know because the geology matches that of Mars and so does the atmosphere.
Most Martian meteorites that land here are found in Antarctica. They're easier to spot against ice.

[Peter Pedant]

Thx Froggie - I was stimulated by what you said to dig up this:

https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/docs/Geologic_Landforms_Mars.pdf

which is sudduv interesting

thx again

[sandyRoe]

Could civilisation have flourished on Mars many millions of years ago? And the Martian's, ignoring their Cassandras' on the subject of global warming, brought their planet to the arid, lifeless, thing that it is today?
Is there a warning there for us?

[Peter Pedant]

well we will soon know

[FrogNog]

Thank you for sharing that Peter. Mars is beautiful to me.

[Peter Pedant]

Oh God I am so embarassed
Viking landers were there (mars) in 1976 and I had forgotten

this is not the First Time - eeek !

[FrogNog]

Viking, then Sojourner, then Spirit and Opportunity.

[ToraToraTora]

they made it up, it's all a conspiracy mars is made of red leicester and the moon is made of stilton. PMSL! I do wish people who visit science wold ask science questions.

[naomi24]

It's an appropriate question for the Science section - in fact it's a good question.

[douglas9401]

I agree, Naomi. Sandy has reminded me of how well Rodney Trotter's wife is wearing too.

[naomi24]

Haaaaaa! Indeed, Douglas. I think many thought her 'hot stuff'. :o)

[trt]

will we see pictures when it lands?

[harrylggy]

They apprehend as a result of the earth science matches that of Mars then will the atmosphere. Most Martian meteorites that land here are found in Antarctic continent. they are easier to identify against ice.