Current Events > Even if we found an earthlike planet, we probably cant breathe its air

(+) Yeah! (+)

The odds of finding a planet with the literal exact same atmosphere ingredients as earth, is beyond astronomical. We probably will have to wear breathing masks when on such a planet. Maybe we might someday be able to manipulate atmospheres and make them like earth's. Though this would likely kill off all native life

just like avatar omg

Zikten posted...

The odds of finding a planet with the literal exact same atmosphere ingredients as earth, is beyond astronomical.

It doesn't have to be. All that matters is an oxygen vapor pressure at about 0.1 - 0.4 ATM or thereabouts, with the rest inert gasses.

Earth's atmosphere is roughly 78% nitrogen, 20% oxygen, 1% argon, and 1% "various".

Questionmarktarius posted...

It doesn't have to be. All that matters is an oxygen vapor pressure at about 0.1 - 0.4 ATM or thereabouts, with the rest inert gasses.

Earth's atmosphere is roughly 78% nitrogen, 20% oxygen, 1% argon, and 1% "various".

You're saying we could breathe an atmosphere that is similar but not exactly the same?

Zikten posted...

You're saying we could breathe an atmosphere that is similar but not exactly the same?

If the amount of oxygen, by mass, is roughly close, then yes.
The total atmospheric pressure can vary quite a bit, especially upwards, as seen with saturation diving.

Humans are absurdly tolerant about this.

if we find an earthlike planet there's a 50% chance we can breathe on it

either we can or we can't

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]

Pretty much any noble gas but radon (or oganesson, but there's only ever been about three atoms of it) would do easily. I can't think of many other inert gasses offhand but nitrogen, hydrogen (not very inert), carbon dioxide, sulfur hexafluoride (mildly toxic), and water vapor.

Now tell us about the possible microbes we have no immunity against that could cause us to projectile bleed out of our butts.

Strider102 posted...

Now tell us about the possible microbes we have no immunity against that could cause us to projectile bleed out of our butts.

Norovirus already does that.

Strider102 posted...

Now tell us about the possible microbes we have no immunity against that could cause us to projectile bleed out of our butts.

Unlikely to be evolved in a manner to be particularly harmful to us. Obviously still do due diligence but yeah.

Enclave posted...

Unlikely to be evolved in a manner to be particularly harmful to us.

This, mostly.
Infectious microbes will be evolved to infect the local lifeforms. If anything, we will be the invasive species nothing there has a natural immunity against.

AlephZero posted...

if we find an earthlike planet there's a 50% chance we can breathe on it

either we can or we can't

Less than that, chief. Itd depend entirely on whether there was some form of photosynthetic organism like algae or plants

Enclave posted...

Unlikely to be evolved in a manner to be particularly harmful to us. Obviously still do due diligence but yeah.

Would be entirely unpredictable though

Rotterdammerung posted...

Itd depend entirely on whether there was some form of photosynthetic organism like algae or plants

All we need for indefinite survival is viability of beans, rice, and some source of cobalamin.
Also water. Water is pretty damn important.

AlephZero posted...

if we find an earthlike planet there's a 50% chance we can breathe on it

either we can or we can't

Do, or do not. There is no try.

Zikten posted...

You're saying we could breathe an atmosphere that is similar but not exactly the same?

As long as the atmosphere is composed mostly of inert gas that is lighter than O2 it is safe to breathe. If it is heavier than O2 then prolonged exposure will kill you eventually even if you don't choke to death as you lungs get full of non oxygen gas and there's no more room for the oxygen.

The perfect planet but you can breathe the air

Tyranthraxus posted...

As long as the atmosphere is composed mostly of inert gas that is lighter than O2 it is safe to breathe.

oooo.
That's a good point.

There's still a good bit of wiggle room, given the way gasses dissociate. Xenon atmosphere would be pretty bad. Neon, argon, and maybe also krypton atmosphere could be viable.

Also, Xe1 is somehow the simplest psychedelic drug, so that would be weird.

I would love a helium atmosphere

scar_the_1 posted...

I would love a helium atmosphere

Everyone is Geddy Lee