Could the Hadean Era's Volcanic Outgassing Block Out the Stars?

  • Thread starter skydivephil
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Atmosphere
In summary, during the Hadean era, the composition of the atmosphere and its transparency is still debated. However, the main gas that could affect transparency is water vapor, and evidence suggests that there were periods of clear skies. Accretion events, particularly large impacts, could have significantly reduced transparency by vaporizing the ocean and crust.
  • #1
skydivephil
474
9
If you were standing on the Earth during the HAdean era, would the outgassing of volcanoes prevent you from seeing the stars?
Would the atmosphere be transparent; what about moving into the Archean Era?
 
Earth sciences news on Phys.org
  • #2
There is, I believe, still significant disagreement over the composition of the Hadean atmosphere. That said the main gas that could lead to low transparency would be water vapour. With sedimentary zircons from early in the Hadean, it seems that surface temperature was low enough, at times, to allow precipitation and it would therefore be reasonable to expect that there were cloudless skies some of the time.

A major impact (pun intended) on transparency would be ongoing accretion. Some impacts are thought to have been large enough to vapourise the ocean and a portion of the crust. That would have reduced atmosphere transparency to zero.
 
  • Like
Likes skydivephil
  • #3
Ophiolite said:
Some impacts are thought to have been large enough to vapourise the ocean and a portion of the crust. That would have reduced atmosphere transparency to zero.

After one of those you wouldn't be seeing the stars - just seeing stars!
 

1. What was the atmosphere like during the Hadean Era?

The atmosphere during the Hadean Era, which lasted from about 4.6 billion years ago to 4 billion years ago, was primarily composed of hydrogen and helium. It was also very hot and dense, with temperatures reaching up to 2,000 degrees Celsius.

2. Did the Hadean Era atmosphere contain any oxygen?

No, there was little to no oxygen present in the atmosphere during the Hadean Era. This is because the Earth's early atmosphere was formed through volcanic outgassing, which did not release oxygen.

3. How did the atmosphere of the Hadean Era contribute to the formation of the Earth?

The atmosphere of the Hadean Era played a crucial role in the formation of the Earth. The high temperatures and density of the atmosphere allowed for the growth of the Earth through accretion, as well as the formation of the oceans through the condensation of water vapor.

4. What type of gases were present in the Hadean Era atmosphere?

In addition to hydrogen and helium, the Hadean Era atmosphere also contained gases such as methane, ammonia, and water vapor. These gases were released through volcanic activity and were essential for the formation of the Earth's oceans and early life forms.

5. How did the atmosphere of the Hadean Era differ from the present-day atmosphere?

The atmosphere of the Hadean Era was very different from the atmosphere we have today. It had a much higher concentration of gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and ammonia, and did not contain any oxygen. Over time, these gases were gradually replaced by oxygen through processes such as photosynthesis, leading to the atmosphere we have today.

Similar threads

  • Earth Sciences
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
8
Views
1K
  • Sci-Fi Writing and World Building
Replies
21
Views
806
  • Materials and Chemical Engineering
Replies
5
Views
1K
  • Science Fiction and Fantasy Media
2
Replies
41
Views
2K
  • Sci-Fi Writing and World Building
Replies
4
Views
878
  • Sci-Fi Writing and World Building
Replies
0
Views
599
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
26
Views
2K
  • Earth Sciences
3
Replies
81
Views
16K
Back
Top