Le site de vulgarisation scientifique de l’Université de Liège. ULg, Université de Liège
secondary atmosphere

This is an atmosphere surrounding the planet after its eventual loss of its primary atmosphere, and whose origin is the degassing of the surface of the planet and the impact of comets and asteroids containing volatile gases. As an example, the atmosphere of the Earth is secondary and results from volcanic activity. The supposed atmosphere of 55 Cancri e is also secondary and consists mainly of water vapor according to some models.

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