All articles tagged with #planetary history
NASA research reveals a 540-million-year correlation between Earth's magnetic field and atmospheric oxygen levels, suggesting deep Earth processes influence surface conditions vital for complex life, with ongoing investigations into related chemical patterns.
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.