Mars, Earth and Venus

   The final 2 planets to study are those closest to the Sun that show signs of global warming, Mars and Earth. Even though it is not undergoing global warming, it is also interesting to look at the planet Venus, in relation to Earth.

Mars

source: nasa.gov

Mars is known as the "Red Planet" due to its color, which comes from the large amount of iron in its soil. It is the fourth planet from the Sun, in between Earth and Jupiter. Recent news about Mars has largely been focused on the strong evidence found by scientists that liquid water once flowed on the planet's surface. But another less well-known newsworthy aspect of the planet is that it may be undergoing global warming. (NASA)

The BBC reported that NASA scientists have seen Mars'  deposits of frozen carbon dioxide have been shrinking, for as long as the past 3 summers. The scientists see this as a sign of global warming. The planet has undergone another surface change: the appearance of new gullies captured in a photo taken in April 2005. The scientists believe that " such gullies might have formed when frozen carbon dioxide, trapped by windblown sand during winter, vaporised rapidly in spring, releasing gas that made the sand flow as a gully-carving fluid." (BBC)

     National Geographic also reported on the changes in temperature on the Red Planet. This article focused more on a specific scientist, Habibullo Abdussamatov, who has a controversial theory that the Sun is responsible for all the global warming on the Earth and Mars. The article also points out that both Mars and Earth have been thought to have gone through ice ages. Abdussamatov says that global warming is mostly solar-induced and that human contribution is minor at best.  His theory has not been received well by fellow climatologists.

Earth

source: nasa.gov

   Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and although it may seem large to those that inhabit it, it is one of the smaller planets in the solar system.  It is also the only known planet where life is present. There are two main reasons behind this: that there is liquid water present on the Earth's surface, and that it is the "Goldilocks Planet." This expression means that Earth, at 93 million miles away from the Sun, is not too hot and not too cold, making the perfect conditions for living beings. (NASA)

     But Earth has been undergoing global warming during the past century, that may endanger these perfect living conditions. So scientists and people in general have begun to look at the planet next door, Venus, a little more closely, as people start to wonder if one day Earth could become just like Venus.

   Venus

source: nasa.gov

     Venus has quite an ironic name. It was named for the Roman goddess of love and beauty, but a trip to Venus would be anything but beautiful. The massive pressure, scorching hot temperatures, thick clouds of sulfuric acid, and many active volcanoes have given Venus the nickname of Earth's "evil twin."

    Venus is considered Earth's twin because they are so close in size, as Venus's diameter is only 400 miles smaller than Earth's. But that is where the similarities end. Venus' atmosphere is unlike Earth's in that it is primarily made of carbon dioxide, the famous greenhouse gas that scientists are so worried about on Earth. The greenhouse effect is very present on Venus as the atmosphere traps so much of the  Sun's heat. Because of this, Venus is an amazingly hot planet, with a surface temperature of 870 degrees F.  It is also a dry planet, as there is not liquid water, as it would boil away.  Venus also has immense atmospheric pressure, about 90 times of that on Earth. (NASA)

     

      The surface of Venus has mountains, canyons, valleys, level ground and volcanoes. Thick clouds of sulfuric acid cover the planet, making it impossible for visible light to penetrate. Therefore, scientists cannot use telescopes to explore the surface of Venus but must instead use radio waves. (NASA)

     There is no evidence to support that life exists on Venus. Astronomers believe the planet is much too hot to sustain life.

    

      The Guardian reported in April 2006, about a European spacecraft that was getting ready to explore Venus. The article explained the similarities and differences of the planet and noted that astronomers believe it is possible that Venus has liquid water at one point in its history.  It is a fear that Earth will some day become just like its "evil twin" as the gas that is blamed for global warming makes up most of Venus' atmosphere. It should also be noted that both Venus and Earth are in a zone of orbits where they are at a perfect distance from the Sun to both be "Goldilock Planets." So, Venus' atmosphere, not its position in terms of closeness to the Sun, is to blame for its inhospitable state.

Will the Earth ever become like Venus? Its impossible to say, but the temperature of Venus is still very far from Earth's. Even though that kind of heat and dryness seems so far away, it might be wise to use Venus as a reminder of the dangers of the greenhouse effect.

Conclusion

source: thegraceacadmey.org

     So is global warming solar-induced? It is possible, but its too early to tell, as the theory is relatively new. Scientists who support the idea need more evidence before the idea is accepted by the general science community. But as we wait for more test results to come in, more evidence to be found, it would not be a bad idea to walk to the store, instead of driving.