in class today we saw this science movie and a scientist said that if a man were to land on mars he would have to spend about 500 days before leaving. What did that mean?
2006-12-01 07:38:28 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
He's probably referring to the fact that earth and mars only get close to each other every so often in their orbits (this is called opposition). You could leave after 250 days but it would take you many times longer to get back to earth, so you might as well stay on mars for the 500 days.
2006-12-01 07:52:40 · answer #1 · answered by Roman Soldier 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Earth orbits the sun in 365 days. Mars orbits the sun in 444 (earth) days. So, Mars is lined up with Earth every 365+444=809 days. Figure about 300 days for travel between the two planets.
2006-12-02 02:04:30 · answer #2 · answered by grotereber 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The scientist wasn't talking about some mysterious rule or anything. What he meant was that because Mars and Earth have different orbital periods "years" that they would be in a convenient place in their respective orbits after 500 days......convenient in the sense of requiring the least amount of fuel, etc.
2006-12-01 16:58:19 · answer #3 · answered by JIMBO 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Probably refering to becoming a register voter or citizen in order to gain tax benifits ect;
2006-12-01 16:17:51 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋