I have a question about comet/asteroid/etc impacts

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the potential impact of large celestial objects, such as asteroids or comets, on planetary atmospheres. Specifically, it addresses whether an impact could significantly diminish a planet's atmosphere. While the participant expresses excitement about the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission, they conclude that while a large object could eject some atmospheric gas, the overall effect on the atmosphere would be minimal. The conversation highlights the complexities of atmospheric dynamics in relation to impact events.

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  • Understanding of planetary atmospheres and their composition
  • Knowledge of impact dynamics and energy transfer
  • Familiarity with celestial mechanics and asteroid characteristics
  • Basic principles of gas ejection and atmospheric loss
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  • Research the effects of asteroid impacts on Earth's atmosphere
  • Study the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission objectives and findings
  • Explore atmospheric loss mechanisms in planetary science
  • Investigate the role of impact events in planetary evolution
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Astronomers, planetary scientists, students of astrophysics, and anyone interested in the effects of celestial impacts on planetary atmospheres.

Light Bearer
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Hi there,

So I'm curious to know if it might be possible for an object of sufficient size/mass to, when upon impact, hit with enough force to cause the planets atmosphere to diminish. It's less than a month now until the MSL reaches Mars...I'm pretty pretty excited :|
 
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A big object could eject some gas from the atmosphere, but I would not expect any significant effect from this. At the same time, it could release some gas which was bound in Earth or the asteroid before.
 

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