Bonn 2010 – scientific programme

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EP: Fachverband Extraterrestrische Physik

EP 3: Poster

EP 3.8: Poster

Monday, March 15, 2010, 17:45–19:00, AKM Foyer

Analysation of the influence of water and higher atmospheric pressure levels on the Martian radiation environment - implications for Martian habitability in the Noachian era — •Bent Ehresmann, Robert F. Wimmer-Schweingruber, Sönke Burmeister, Jan Köhler, Onno Kortmann, and Thomas Möller — IEAP, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel

In comparison to Earth, the low atmospheric pressure on today's Mars provides only very weak shielding of the Martian surface against cosmic radiation and allows galactic cosmic rays to propagate all the way to the ground to interact with the soil. Hence, the radiation environment on Mars is more hazardous for life than on Earth.

To this date, the exact environmental conditions on Mars during the Noachian are still unknown. However, it is widely agreed upon that liquid water existed on the surface at least sporadically during this time span and that Mars possessed a significantly higher atmospheric pressure level which would in all likelihood have resulted in a less hostile surface radiation environment for the possible emergence and evolution of life.

Using Planetocosmics, we calculate particle radiation in the Martian atmosphere and at ground level for different atmospheric and environmental conditions. Here, we present radiation environments for different atmospheric pressure levels, as well as for the presence of liquid water on the surface or subsurface water-ice.