These are planets that may of had life MILLIONNNNNNNNNNs of years ago and can't sustain life now 150 degrees day and 250 below at night and they are six months to a year to get there. In the other direction there 20 planets that are the same make up as earth with air water and there is the Moon
2007-07-05 06:49:44 · 10 answers · asked by Ed M 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Exploration and Columbus and all that why not Explore something that has a further not a past there are better places to go
2007-07-05 07:01:23 · update #1
Aside from the purely academic reasons of visiting Mars and Venus there is the very practical fact that it is practice. By practice I mean it is an attainable goal that by accomplishing enables us to progress toward our ultimate goal space exploration and colonization. Look at sailing as an example earlier boats used to travel within sight of land. Then as we practiced this craft technology developed that allowed for the creation of ships which could cross seas and that lead to ships that could cross oceans. They are applying the same principle to Mars and Venus. First we went into orbit, then we went to the moon, now we are exploring our solar system next we will explore other solar systems. So Mars and Venus are stepping stones for us to practice and develop technologies and techniques in space travel.
2007-07-05 07:05:07 · answer #1 · answered by levindis 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree that Mars and Venus are not really worth going to, except as an exciting adventure of a thing to do. Gone are they times when we could imagine that both those planets has breathable air, livable temperatures and native life. But at some point we will need to go to more distant planets, orbiting other stars, and if we don't start learning how to do that by going to nearby Mars, how will we ever get to those other planets?
By the way, we don't NEED football, TV, music, or many other things that we spend FAR more money on, but we still do all those things.
2007-07-05 14:45:30 · answer #2 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Venus is extremely hot. More due to the atmosphere then the distance from the sun. If it had better atmospheric conditions it may have been livable. Earth is kind of doomed to become like venus if global warming becomes self sustaining.
Mars is very similar to earth when life was formed. It has a very thin atmosphere, kind of the opposite of venus in respect to earth, therefore can be conditioned to be livable if the atmosphere and planet are teraformed.
Mars is kind of like antarctica in terms of pure temperature.. which for solar system purposes is pretty good actually.. its only between -100 or so F to 40 positive during the day. A little boost in atmosphere and that can be fixed up to be slightly warmer.
2007-07-05 13:57:17 · answer #3 · answered by unknown user 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Why did Columbus cross the Atlantic? Why did Magellan circumnavigate the glove? Why did Marco Polo journey thousands of miles to China?
Its in our hearts and minds - the human species thrives on exploration an curiosity.
We've been to the moon, Mars seems the next logical step (we can walk on it without melting unlike Venus). As for Earth like planets you mentioned they are many light years away, and would take well beyond the average human lifetime to reach them, let alone return.
2007-07-05 13:57:41 · answer #4 · answered by Tsumego 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Diversification? We live on one rock orbiting a star. If something was to happen to that rock...The phrase "all your eggs in one basket" springs to mind. Mars holds the best opportunity for colonisation and maybe Venus too (Venus may be best for terraforming). The moon is to all intents and purposes a dusty pebble. Useful as a stepping stone for other colonisation programmes but not for long term habitation
2007-07-05 14:35:57 · answer #5 · answered by Efnissien 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well microbial life can still exist. They are able to thrive in the harshest of environments. They can exist in space, in the cold, and in the very hot. You'd be surprised how abundant life is everywhere on Earth. This gives us reason to believe that life can also exist in tough environments in space.
Bacteria and microbes can always adapt, so what seems like a dangerous to us, might be the perfect place for other organisms.
2007-07-05 14:00:31 · answer #6 · answered by A.R 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What the **** are you rambling about????
Considering the considerable scientific and grammatical ignorance you just displayed in your question, I would hardly consider you a good judge of our reasons for studying Mars and Venus.
2007-07-05 14:02:49 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Exploration. We are driven by the quest for knowledge and exploration. To take your question further...why do anything?
2007-07-05 13:55:20 · answer #8 · answered by SPB 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
the human race must go beyond there simple planet of which they called home . The Uknown can help.
2007-07-05 14:14:01 · answer #9 · answered by Dr. maximillus 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If humans had always had your attitude about studying new things, we would still be living in caves, worshiping the storm god, and turning over flat rocks for our dinner!
2007-07-05 14:14:51 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋