Comparison of planetary atmospheres
Gas
Mercury
(by volume near surface)
Pressure:
~ 0 millibars
Almost no atmo.
Temperature:
Min -275°F -170°C
Max+840°F +450°C
Venus
(by volume near surface)
Pressure:
~92,000 millibars
Temperature:
Min +870°F +465°C
Max+870°F +465°C
Earth
(by volume near surface)
Pressure:
~1,014 millibars
Temperature:
Min -129°F -89°C
Max+136°F +58°C
Moon
(by volume near surface)
Pressure:
~0 millibars
Temperature near equator:
Min -280°F -173°C
Max+260°F +127°C
Mars
(by volume near surface)
Pressure:
~6-7 millibars
Temperature:
Min -195°F -125°C
Max+70°F +20°C
Nitrogen
(N2)
---
3.5 %
78%
---
2.7%
Oxygen
(O2)
---
---
21%
---
0.13%
Argon
(Ar)
---
---
<1%
---
1.6%
Carbon dioxide
(CO2)
---
96.5
0.04%
---
95%
Water
(H2O)
---
<1%
<1%
Highly variable
---
<1%
Data sources temperature:
Mercury: Worldbook at NASA, April 12, 2010.
Venus: Worldbook at NASA, April 12, 2010.
Earth: Global Measured Extremes of Temperature and Precipitation, NOAA, April 12, 2010
Moon: Worldbook at NASA, April 12, 2010
Mars: Worldbook at NASA, April 12, 2010
Data sources pressure and gas composition:
All: Plantary Fact Sheet, NASA, April 12, 2010.
|
Gas |
Mercury
Venus (by volume near surface) Pressure: ~92,000 millibars Temperature: Min +870°F +465°C Max+870°F +465°C |
Earth (by volume near surface) Pressure: ~1,014 millibars Temperature: Min -129°F -89°C Max+136°F +58°C |
Moon (by volume near surface) Pressure: ~0 millibars Temperature near equator: Min -280°F -173°C Max+260°F +127°C |
Mars (by volume near surface) Pressure: ~6-7 millibars Temperature: Min -195°F -125°C Max+70°F +20°C |
||
| Nitrogen | (N2) | --- | 3.5 % | 78% | --- | 2.7% |
| Oxygen | (O2) | --- | --- | 21% | --- | 0.13% |
| Argon | (Ar) | --- | --- | <1% | --- | 1.6% |
| Carbon dioxide | (CO2) | --- | 96.5 | 0.04% | --- | 95% |
| Water | (H2O) | --- | <1% | <1% Highly variable |
--- | <1% |
Data sources temperature:
Mercury: Worldbook at NASA, April 12, 2010.
Venus: Worldbook at NASA, April 12, 2010.
Earth: Global Measured Extremes of Temperature and Precipitation, NOAA, April 12, 2010
Moon: Worldbook at NASA, April 12, 2010
Mars: Worldbook at NASA, April 12, 2010
Data sources pressure and gas composition: All: Plantary Fact Sheet, NASA, April 12, 2010.
Data sources pressure and gas composition: All: Plantary Fact Sheet, NASA, April 12, 2010.
Questions for discussion
Related resourcesFACTSHEETS from NASADATA from Worldbook at NASAWEBSITES
|
Take away concept
That there is a relationship with distance to the Sun, although there are complicating factors. Related news
SURFACE TEMPERATURES |