Well put, rinku - my sentiments exactly.
Not only would defining atmo based on typical mainstream 'theories' be boring - it is guaranteed to be incorrect as well. Granted, to some it might be more 'believable', but that is a matter of opinion based on theories that have been consistently proven wrong or inadequate. As I mentioned earlier, a great many assumptions on what our own system's atmos are have been overturned by space probes... and then overturned again by later probes.
Someone with a good scientific bend will be able to 'rationalize' such 'irregularities' in a fictional setting. Furthermore, such can provide interesting plot fodder...
Consider, despite our modern (and ancient) knowledge of natural disasters like earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes, monsoon floods, etc. - mankind's largest population centers are invariably located were such are 'eminent'.
So inhabited systems with eminent pre-nova stars, or inhabited planets with 'rapidly' decaying atmos are really no stretch at all...
Not only would defining atmo based on typical mainstream 'theories' be boring - it is guaranteed to be incorrect as well. Granted, to some it might be more 'believable', but that is a matter of opinion based on theories that have been consistently proven wrong or inadequate. As I mentioned earlier, a great many assumptions on what our own system's atmos are have been overturned by space probes... and then overturned again by later probes.
Someone with a good scientific bend will be able to 'rationalize' such 'irregularities' in a fictional setting. Furthermore, such can provide interesting plot fodder...
Consider, despite our modern (and ancient) knowledge of natural disasters like earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes, monsoon floods, etc. - mankind's largest population centers are invariably located were such are 'eminent'.
So inhabited systems with eminent pre-nova stars, or inhabited planets with 'rapidly' decaying atmos are really no stretch at all...