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Is Earth's Atmosphere an Import?

Posted by Soulskill on from the one-thing-that-wasn't-made-in-china dept.

garg0yle writes "One of the questions about the formation of our planet is: where did the atmosphere come from? One theory is that the oxygen, nitrogen, and other gases were part of the coalescing ball, and 'seeped out' during the final stages of the planet's formation. However, a new article at Wired says isotopic analysis of krypton and xenon indicates that they (and the rest of our atmosphere) may be of extraterrestrial origin, either arriving via comets or being swept up from gas clouds."

14 of 114 comments (clear)

  1. Rubbish... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm an atmosphere skeptic.

    The existence of the atmosphere is a liberal hoax perpetrated on us by the scientific community.

    Can you see it? No. What are they trying to hide?

    1. Re:Rubbish... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      Also note how we get no answers refuting these questions brought against it. Seems like they're guilty of something if you ask me.

    2. Re:Rubbish... by pitchpipe · · Score: 2, Funny

      It was totally brought here by liberals to start warming at just the right moment! You see they HATE the US and if they get their way, we'll develop technologies to burn something other than fossil fuels. Don't you see what an evil, ingenious plan that is to bring down the US?! Genius, I tells ya, geni... Oh wait! Crap!

      --
      Look where all this talking got us, baby.
    3. Re:Rubbish... by Tanman · · Score: 3, Funny

      First, the Earth is a SPHERE. Now they talk about atmoSPHERE. Coincidence?

      Now, I'm not saying the same yahoos who say the Earth is round also say some magic dust from outer space fills my lungs with every breath, but don't you think it's interesting that I'm the only one at least asking questions about their true intentions?

    4. Re:Rubbish... by Arthur+Grumbine · · Score: 3, Funny

      Did the atmosphere rape and murder a girl in 1990? There are witnesses to the fact that the atmosphere was at the location of multiple rapes and murders in 1990. While the rapes and murders were happening!! At the very least the atmosphere should be charged as an accomplice, as crime scene investigators have conclusively demonstrated that the alleged rapists and murderers in the majority of the cases would have been unable to perform the heinous deed if the atmosphere.had not been present.

      Who is going to take responsibility for answering our questions? The atmosphere has remained eerily quiet in the face of such bold questions! We must demand answers!

      --
      Now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure everything I just said is completely wrong.
    5. Re:Rubbish... by martas · · Score: 4, Funny

      For a long time now, I have been afraid to come out with my story, but since this issue has been raised, I just can't stay quiet any longer. It is my duty as a citizen to report that for as long as I can remember, the atmosphere has been orally violating me. What's worse, my parents have known about this all along, and they have stood by and let it go on. In fact, as soon as I was born, they let the atmosphere touch me in the most inappropriate places. I also know of many other individuals who have been subjected to similar treatment by the atmosphere, though I won't name any of them - I will leave it up to them whether or not they decide to follow my example and tell the world about this horrible ongoing abuse.

      I hope the authorities will act upon my testimony, and finally put an end to the atmosphere's series of crimes.

      --
      weinersmith
    6. Re:Rubbish... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Don't tell me you didn't like it, beatch.

      Yours Truly,
      Atmosphere

  2. Re:comets by noidentity · · Score: 5, Funny

    You forgot to capitalize an instance of "water" in your first and last sentences. I also think you should capitalize "moons", "worldly", and "substances", for good measure.

  3. or maybe by quickpick · · Score: 2, Funny

    God created the earth?

  4. Re:Who cares? by Narpak · · Score: 3, Funny

    Honestly who cares?

    Atmospheric scientists?

    --
    The Long Now Foundation
  5. "analysis of krypton..." by david.emery · · Score: 2, Funny

    ... indicates that they (and the rest of our atmosphere) may be of extraterrestrial origin..

    Duh. Why do you suppose they call it "krypton," Kal-El?

  6. Re:Who cares? by Kerrigann · · Score: 3, Funny

    Wow, 'expoplanet'. Dunno how I typed that.

    It's like the sales-convention planet.

    It will be the first to be nuked out of existence from orbit.

  7. Re:Weird conclusion by FatdogHaiku · · Score: 3, Funny

    Gravity is a lie perpetrated to keep the people down!

    --
    You have the right to remain sentient. If you give up the right to remain sentient, you will be elected to public office
  8. Gravity's just a theory by Nicolas+MONNET · · Score: 2, Funny

    Just a theory. Why should we believe it more than Intelligent Falling?