Astronomy And Planetary Science News

"When Venus and Mars Met Their Demise: A Cosmic Catastrophe"

4.5 billion years ago, Venus, Earth, and Mars were all potentially habitable worlds with similar conditions, including substantial surface gravity, volcanic activity, and Earth-like atmospheres. Venus succumbed to a runaway greenhouse effect, boiling away its oceans, while Mars lasted longer before losing its habitability due to atmospheric stripping. Evidence suggests that Mars once had liquid water and a magnetic field, making it a promising candidate for life. The fate of these planets sheds light on the delicate balance required for habitability, with Earth being the "Goldilocks" case.