How much more mass would it take for Mars to establish a similar atmosphere as here on Earth?

Question

ANY IDEAS ON HOW TO LAUNCH METEORS INTO MARS TO ADD MASS TO IT.

Also, any idea on starting up the magnetic field again, I know it is alot weaker than ours, but how can we get more on Mars.

Answer 1

The planet Mars is roughly 10% as massive as Earth. Mars already has a thin atmosphere 1000% less dense than our own. For Mars to be able to retain an atmosphere like ours it would have to be bigger than our planet as the Material that makes up Mars is less dense, and even if the mass were increased, it would be very difficult to find enough nitrogen and oxygen gas to make up an atmosphere with a pressure similar to our own.

Unfortunatley launching meteors into Mars wouldn't be much use as the size and number required to give Mars sufficient extra mass would most definatley 'knock' Mars out of its Orbit.

If you were wondering which planet would be best suited for terraforming (making the planet like Earth) then Venus already has the right size and mass and a thick atmosphere (although that would require major alterations before it would be suitable for us).

Answer 2

The more mass Mars had, the closer it would move towards the sun. However, if the Mar's mass was increased to the point were the distance between it and the sun provided enough heat to produce life, its own gravitational force would a) make it rotate faster, b) make earth its secondary moon, and c) change the shape of its orbit. With an altered orbit and secondary gravitational force from the earth, Mars would then have traveling air vacuum pockets, erratically violent wind and water storms, and an unstable atmosphere (assuming it could produce air and water in the 42 seconds it will have to build its mass and change position in order not to throw our entire solar system into chaos).

At best the Earth and Mars would be barely habitable1/8 of the year (which, with an altered rotation could be anywhere to a week, to several seconds).

Answer 3

I believe theres more to consider. Think about the distance between Earth and the Sun. We seem to be at a perfect distance away and close to the Sun. If Earth were as any more closer to the Sun, temperatures would rise immensly and vice-versa.
As for the meteors, wouldn't that end up disrupting the orbit of Mars and damafge it too much? It may even knock it of its orbit I think.

Answer 4

It could retain an atmosphere with the gravity it now has.

Really bad idea, the space pinball thing.