How Earth Lost Its Cool
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- Visualizations by:
- Walt Feimer
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- Written by:
- Karen Fox
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- Scientific consulting by:
- Vladimir Airapetian
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- Produced by:
- Genna Duberstein
- View full credits
Earth was far different 4 billion years ago. Back then it received only about three-quarters the amount of energy from the sun than it does today. It also lacked gases in its atmosphere that trap heat. These conditions should have made the planet a cold, icy place. But geological evidence shows Earth was warm and that it had liquid water. So what was causing the warmer environment? A team of scientists from NASA may have found the answer. New research suggests powerful solar storms could have provided the energy needed to heat the planet. In the early days of the solar system, the sun’s surface roiled with giant eruptions, spewing enormous amounts of solar material and radiation out into space. Energetic solar particles that slammed into Earth would have altered the chemistry of the atmosphere, resulting in the formation of nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas some 300 times more powerful than carbon dioxide. The warming of the planet may not have been the only outcome. Scientists say the eruptions also could have provided the energy needed to make complex chemicals such as RNA and DNA that eventually seeded life on Earth. Explore the images to learn more.
For More Information
See NASA.gov
Credits
Please give credit for this item to:
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center
Earth photo courtesy of NASA/EPIC
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Animators
- Walt Feimer (KBR Wyle Services, LLC) [Lead]
- Brian Monroe (USRA)
- Krystofer Kim (KBR Wyle Services, LLC)
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Writer
- Karen Fox (ADNET Systems, Inc.) [Lead]
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Scientist
- Vladimir Airapetian (Sigma Space Corp.) [Lead]
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Producer
- Genna Duberstein (ADNET Systems, Inc.) [Lead]