Surely, the distcance of 250,000 miles cannot be the obstacle, can it?
2007-07-15 21:14:45 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
We can carry our own oxygen in the space ship or in space suits. The problem with creating an atmosphere on the moon is that its gravitational field is to weak to prevent the air molecules from escaping into space by thermal agitation. For example, the escape velocity on the earth's surface is 11km/s.Air molucles such as hydrogen reach speeds of upto 2km/s which is much less than the escape velocity, hence they are able to stay "around" the earth. However, on the moon, gravity is 6 times weaker. The vibrating air molecules easily escape into space.
An increadible solution would be to wrap the moon in some airtight bag! However the outward pressure would make it burst!
2007-07-15 21:22:32 · answer #1 · answered by Mr Man 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In addition if you wanted to sustain life there you would have to take moon ice and separate the Oxygen and Hydrogen. Use the Oxygen to breathe and Hydrogen as a power source.
You would have to contruct shelters or compunds in which to contain the atmosphere. It wouldn't be like those big space domes you see either. One tiny rock breaks the glass and your done plus the radiation which wouldn't be shielded.
This project would require a lot of time and money. If the price per load going into space were reduced greatly, then it might be feasable.
The low gravity would be a problem too. Anyone who lived out there for two long would have there muscles atrophe, including their heart. If they stayed for too long they wouldn't be able to live with Earth gravity without having a heart attack.
2007-07-15 21:27:04 · answer #2 · answered by Meng-Tzu 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
As has been mentioned, the moon does not have enough gravity to hold a breathable atmosphere. What we *could* do is build huge enclosed spaces and fill them with air. We could build a big dome cap that seals off a crater, and fill the crater with air. Or (most likely) We could just dig tunnels into the moon and make huge airtight underground caverns.
2007-07-16 01:39:08 · answer #3 · answered by David S 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The gravitational pull of the moon is about one-sixth that of the Earth - gravity wouldn't hold the atmosphere in place - it would just escape into space. You would have to bring your atmosphere with you - inside space suits and space ships.
2007-07-15 21:20:19 · answer #4 · answered by Paul Hxyz 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
NO.
The problem is that the Moon does not posess enough "gravity" to retain gases of any kind. Technology
will not repair that basic fault.
2007-07-16 00:53:24 · answer #5 · answered by zahbudar 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No. And why would we want it? I think the space program reached it's limit a long time ago. It's time to spend that money on more important things like food and medical care for the poor.
2007-07-15 23:15:15 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
In my opinion we have the ability, the distance is the biggest hurdle, at the moment that amount of travel is far too costly, especially with our deficit
2007-07-15 21:17:37 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋