Are all the occurrences on Mars (in the movie) likely? Could there be breathable oxygen on Mars? What about the gravity of the planet- is it approximately the same as that on earth?
2006-06-09 08:15:18 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
No -- it's a movie. Suspend your disbelief, sit back, and enjoy a FICTIONAL STORY.
Mars is too small to be able to hold on to enough atmosphere to be breathable by creatures that evolved on Earth, with it's relatively thick atmosphere. The mass of Mars is is one-tenth that of the Earth, and the gravitational acceleration is a little over one-third that of the Earth. No possible way it could hold on to an oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere breathable by humans.
Mass of Earth = ~6x10^24 kilograms
Radius of the Earth = 6378 km
gravity on Earth = 980 cm/sec^2
Oxygen content of atmosphere = ~21%
Mass of Mars = ~ 0.6x10^24 kilograms
Radius of Mars = 3397 km
gravity on Mars = 371 cm/sec^2
Oxygen content of the atmosphere = ~0.13%
Mars MIGHT have developed its own forms of life, specifically adapted to the conditions on that planet, but we may not be able to recognize them.
2006-06-09 08:36:59 · answer #1 · answered by Dave_Stark 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The gravitational force on the surface of Mars is approximately 1/3 of that of the Earth's.
There IS breathable oxygen in Mars' atmosphere, but it makes up only about .13% (that 13/100ths of one percent) of the atmosphere. The Earth's atmosphere is approximately 21% oxygen. There is probably a substantial amount of oxygen trapped in the polar ice caps or within minerals on the Martian surface.
The atmospheric pressure on the surface of Mars is about 8 millibars whereas the standard pressure at the surface of the Earth is on average 1013.25 mbars. The atmospheric pressure on Mars is so low, that even if the oxygen content were higher, you would suffocate without some other source of oxygen.
2006-06-09 15:28:48 · answer #2 · answered by deadstick325 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not likely at all.
There is little to no breathable O2 on mars. It's mostly all trapped in the form of rust and CO2.
It would take decades of terraforming to make the Red planet inhabitable.
2006-06-09 15:26:04 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my opinion much of what was shown in "Red Planet" isn't plausible. A fun movie, but if there were living organisms and a breathable atmosphere on Mars one of our orbiters and/or landers would have detected it.
2006-06-09 22:25:33 · answer #4 · answered by Chug-a-Lug 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Even the part where Val was walking along a bunch of moss wouldn't allow him to breathe. The oxygen would diffuse much too quickly for him to survive while standing upright.
2006-06-09 15:39:50 · answer #5 · answered by bequalming 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep in mind the temperature contrast when standing upright on the surface of Mars. It might be +60 degrees F at your feet, but it would be -80 at the height of your head. Good luck keeping your space suit warm. (I haven't seen the movie.)
2006-06-10 08:30:18 · answer #6 · answered by stiffmenot 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
gravity of Mars is .375 that of earth, length of day 24h 37m, avg.temp -80degreesF
2006-06-09 15:25:12 · answer #7 · answered by cat 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋