The Open Astronomy Journal

2009, 2 : 19-22
Published online 2009 February 27. DOI: 10.2174/1874381100902010019
Publisher ID: TOAAJ-2-19

Escape of the Atmosphere of Rotating Planet

M.K.M. Ahmed and Z.M. Hayman
Astronomy & Meteorology Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo Universiy, Giza, Egypt.

ABSTRACT

The problems of escape of a planetary atmosphere is reviewed. Formulae are derive for the rates of loss of mass and angular momentum from a unit area and from the whole planetary surface. The resulting formulae are applied to find the residence times of H, O, N2, O2 and CO2 in Martian atmosphere. All constituents are so stable while hydrogen is never stable and cannot be retained to my extent.

Keywords:

Escape of a planetary atmosphere, loss of mass-residence times.