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Faint young Sun paradox remains

Author

Listed:
  • Colin Goldblatt

    (NASA Ames Research Center, MS 245-3, Moffett Field, California 94035, USA)

  • Kevin J. Zahnle

    (NASA Ames Research Center, MS 245-3, Moffett Field, California 94035, USA)

Abstract

Arising from M. T. Rosing, D. K. Bird, N. H. Sleep & C. J. Bjerrum, Nature 464, 744–747 (2010)10.1038/nature08955 The Sun was fainter when the Earth was young, but the climate was generally at least as warm as today; this is known as the ‘faint young Sun paradox’. Rosing et al.1 claim that the paradox can be resolved by making the early Earth’s clouds and surface less reflective. We show that, even with the strongest plausible assumptions, reducing cloud and surface albedos falls short by a factor of two of resolving the paradox. A temperate Archean climate cannot be reconciled with the low level of CO2 suggested by Rosing et al.1; a stronger greenhouse effect is needed.

Suggested Citation

  • Colin Goldblatt & Kevin J. Zahnle, 2011. "Faint young Sun paradox remains," Nature, Nature, vol. 474(7349), pages 1-1, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:474:y:2011:i:7349:d:10.1038_nature09961
    DOI: 10.1038/nature09961
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