Evolutionary tracks of the terrestrial planets

Abstract

On the basis of the model proposed by Matsui and Abe, we will show that two major factors - distance from the Sun and the efficiency of retention of accretional energy - control the early evolution of the terrestrial planets. A diagram of accretional energy versus the optical depth of a proto-atmosphere provides a means to follow the evolutionary track of surface temperature of the terrestrial planets and an explanation for why the third planet in our solar system is an 'aqua'-planet. © 1987 D. Reidel Publishing Company.