The Genesis of the Solar System and Earth´s Atmosphere

Physical Fundamentals of Global Change Processes

5.12.2006 Katharina Tomaschek GCM

Content

Evolution of the Earth´s Atmosphere

Genesis of the Solar System - Theories

Questions

Discussion

ms: I suppose that the genesis of the Solar System happened before the evolution of the Earth’s atmosphere. Therefore it might be more logical (or at least chronological) to choose this order instead of the choice presented here.

ms: I suppose that the genesis of the Solar System happened before the evolution of the Earth’s atmosphere. Therefore it might be more logical (or at least chronological) to choose this order instead of the choice presented here.

- The history of the Earth's atmosphere prior to one billion years ago is poorly understood

- The original atmosphere was primarily helium and hydrogen

- Heat from the still-molten crust, and the sun, plus a probably enhanced solar wind, dissipated this atmosphere

- About 4.4 billion years ago, the surface had cooled enough to form a crust

-volcanoes released steam, carbon dioxide, and ammonia

- led to the early "second atmosphere", which was primarily carbon dioxide and water vapor, with some nitrogen but virtually no oxygen

- as the atmosphere cooled, much of the carbon dioxide was dissolved in the seas and precipitated outout as carbonates

-One of the earliest types of bacteria were the cyanobacteria

-Fossil evidence indicates that bacteria shaped like these existed approximately 3.3 billion years ago and were the first oxygen-producing evolving phototropic organisms

They were responsible for the initial conversion of the earth's atmosphere from an anoxic state to an oxic state during the period 2.7 to 2.2 billion years ago

Being the first to carry out oxygenic photosynthesis, they were able to convert carbon dioxide into oxygen, playing a major role in oxygenating the atmosphere

- Photosynthesizing plants evolved, the levels of oxygen increased significantly, while carbon dioxide levels decreased

- With the appearance of an ozone layer lifeforms were better protected from ultraviolet radiation

- This oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere is the "third atmosphere„

Genesis of the Solar System

The Big Bang Theory

-dominant scientific theory about the origin of the universe -cosmic explosion -10 billion and 20 billion years ago

-distant galaxies are going away from us with speeds proportional to their distance

-existence of cosmic background radiation

-current scientific consensus supports the occurrence of a Big Bang

Steady state theory

-new matter is continuously created as the universe expands

-universe is homogenous and isotropic in space and time

-large number of supporters among cosmologists in the 1950´s and 1960´s

-supporters decreased markedly in the late 1960s

The holy bible - Genesis

„God created the oceans and the land“

„Life can't arise on its own from dead chemicals“

http://www.creationists.org/index.html

Steady state theory = nonsense

holy bible - Genesis = nonsense

Big Bang!?

ms: I rather suggest to use more sophisticated formulations like:

steady state theory = obsolete

holy bible - Genesis = obscure

ms: I rather suggest to use more sophisticated formulations like:

steady state theory = obsolete

holy bible - Genesis = obscure

Questions

How can a sphere of infinite mass, and therefore infinite gravity, explode?

Is there enough energy to keep the universe expanding?

Or will it eventually cave back in on itself?

Is the universe constant, or is it random?

What is the origin of the solar system?

Is life a rare and unusual or even unique event in the evolution of the universe or is it adaptable, widespread and common?

Thank you for your attention!

Comments for Katharina Tomaschek Comments for Katharina Tomaschek from Manfred Stockfrom Manfred Stock

1.1. The genesis of the Earth’s atmosphere has been presented clipped The genesis of the Earth’s atmosphere has been presented clipped and precise in only 4 slides and 4 minutes. But only 9 of the possible and precise in only 4 slides and 4 minutes. But only 9 of the possible 20 minutes were used for the total presentation and I think it’s a pity 20 minutes were used for the total presentation and I think it’s a pity that the time hasn’t been used to deepen some additional aspects likethat the time hasn’t been used to deepen some additional aspects like– Evolution of life forms (prokaryotes and eukaryotes, Cambrian Evolution of life forms (prokaryotes and eukaryotes, Cambrian

explosion)explosion)

– Relation between atmosphere, life forms and climateRelation between atmosphere, life forms and climate

– repeating some slides from my lectures (why not?)repeating some slides from my lectures (why not?)

2.2. For instance there is an essential part missing: namely the formation For instance there is an essential part missing: namely the formation of the Solar System explaining the different starting conditions for the of the Solar System explaining the different starting conditions for the planetary atmospheres. Some links are given on my page, or see -> planetary atmospheres. Some links are given on my page, or see -> Lecture 13: The Nebular Theory of the origin of the Solar SystemLecture 13: The Nebular Theory of the origin of the Solar System

3.3. Too spare with claiming sources and giving links.Too spare with claiming sources and giving links.

4.4. I like the questions raised because we had a nice opportunity for a I like the questions raised because we had a nice opportunity for a more detailed discussion succeeding the presentation.more detailed discussion succeeding the presentation.