Warming Mars Using Artificial Super-Greenhouse Gases

From The Space Library

Author - M.M. Marinova et al

Co-Author(s) - M. M. Marinova; C. P. McKay; H. Hashimoto

JBIS Volume # - 53

Page # - 235-240

Year - 2000

Keywords -

JBIS Reference Code # - 2000.53.235

Number of Pages - 6

[edit] Abstract

Artificial super-greenhouse gases will be needed in terraforming Mars. They could be used to initiate warming and also to supplement the greenhouse effect of a breathable oxygen/nitrogen atmosphere containing a limited amount of carbon dioxide. The leading super-greenhouse gas candidates are SF₆ and perfluorocarbons (PFCs) such as CF₄ and C₂F₆. The transmission spectra of C₂F₆, CF₂C_l2, and CF₃Cl were analyzed, and their specific absorption bands quantitatively assessed. A detailed band model was used to accurately calculate and compare the greenhouse warming of Earth and Mars given different temperature profiles and concentrations of the gases. The results show that for the current Mars, 0.1 Pa (10^-6 atm) of a single super-greenhouse gas will result in a warming of about 3 K. The synthesis of this amount of gas requires about 10²⁰ J, equivalent to ~ 70 minutes of the total solar energy reaching Mars. Super-greenhouse gases are a viable method for warming up a planet alone and are certainly practical in combination with other methods.

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