User Guide

Atmosphere
Planetary constants Earth Planet (Chiron) P/E Ratio
Total pressure (Pa) 101,325 176,020 1.74
Nitrogen (Pa) 79,125 160,000 2.02
Oxygen (Pa) 21,228 15,000 0.71
Argon (Pa) 942 1000 1.06
Carbon dioxide (Pa) 30 20 0.67
Nitrogen 78.09% 90.90% 1.16
Oxygen 20.95% 8.52% 0.41
Argon 0.93% 0.57% 0.61
Carbon dioxide 0.03% 0.01% 0.4
Surface density (kg/m
3
) 1.22 2.06 1.68
“Flammability” (mmol K/J) 7.17 2.87 0.40
Effective temp. (°K) 253 261 1.03
Greenhouse effect (°K) +36 +32 0.90
Surface temp. (°K) 288 293 1.01
Surface temp. (°C) 15.4 19.7 1.28
Solar constant (W/m
2
) 1383 1750 1.27
ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION
The atmosphere consists of 90.9% Nitrogen, 8.5% Oxygen and .01% Carbon
Dioxide. The low oxygen content results in fewer forest fires, a higher propor-
tion of anoxic (oxygen-free) environments — encouraging a large anaerobic
ecosystem reducing nitrates to break down organic matter — and a plant
ecosystem dominated by the need to conserve carbon.
A NEW SUN
APPENDIX 5
218