Global Warming has been the subject of much talk in the last few years. Have you ever wondered where the idea of Global Warming affecting the Earth originated? It actually came from studying the atmosphere of Venus that led to the consideration that Earth was experiencing a similar phenomenon. I myself, never learned the full explanation as to why this claim is true, but I can certainly use what I already know and surmise a possible explanation. In fact, this is actually the first time I really thought about this, so join me in trying to understand why we can believe Venus exhibits greenhouse effects.

I know there is a relationship between radiation and element types. Most radiation comes in the form of Electromagnetic Radiation. You experience this everyday from the light that enters your eyes (visible), to the inner workings of your microwave oven (microwave), to the warmth that radiates out of your body (infrared). These forms of radiation are waves and they all fall under what is called the Electromagnetic Spectrum. All Electromagnetic Radiation have the form of waves and they have a specific wavelength associated with it that distinguishes it from other types of waves.

Atoms can emit radiation when they’re “excited” or when they receive energy. The electrons jump to a higher orbital in the atom and when they fall back down, the atom emits radiation. This radiation will have a certain wavelength. What scientists discovered was that certain atoms emitted unique patterns of light when they were excited. Therefore, by observing a certain pattern of light emitted from a system, we can determine, more or less, what elements compose of that system.

Scientists are always looking at planets and using different lenses to look at the radiation emitted by them. Taking the ideas I just described, it is possible that in observing the type of electromagnetic radiation being exhibited by Venus, scientists were able to determine what its atmosphere was composed of. According to Wikipedia, Venus’s atmosphere is composed of 95% Carbon Dioxide, the main proponent for greenhouse effects.

At this point, I would like to make it clear that I do not claim this is the way it was originally done. This is merely my attempt at justifying the initial claim using what I know. Nonetheless, I hope this gives you an idea of what it is like to think scientifically. It requires being logical, analytical, and using previously known information. Very often, it also requires thinking creatively, especially when attempting to explain things that are not obvious.

Watch the video below of Astrophysicist, Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, answering cosmic questions. Skip to 7:49 for the discussion regarding Venus and Global Warming, but I highly recommend watching the entire clip. It’s fun!

VIDEO: Ask the Astrophysicist: Neil deGrasse Tyson (Questions & Answers)