terraforming mars?

Question

i'd like to hear some ideas on terraforming mars, keeping in mind that it is a "dead" planet in that it has no magnetosphere to protect it from the sun's radiation. also keep in mind that i don't mean that"dead" also means hopeless. hmmmm...could just starting its core back up somehow do the whole shabang?

Answer 1

Speaking strictly as a science fiction enthusiast, I like the idea of terraforming Mars. There are several ways to start - first would have to be the introduction of an organism friendly atmosphere. Mars' current atmosphere is too thin to allow even the hardiest earth micro-organisms to reproduce, and the ionizing radiation it lets in would kill most things. How to give a dead planet an atmosphere? There are several sources of gas we could pull from, the upper levels of Jupiter's atmosphere for example, or even Venus, which could certainly benefit from a little less atmosphere. But transferring enough gas from other planets to maintain a free atmosphere on Mars against the constant erosive pressure from the solar wind might prove impossible. Some transfer could be accomplished by placing thousands of solar powered medium sized mass drivers in the upper atmosphere of those planets, which would shoot packets of atmosphere into Mars solar orbit. Mars would then simply sweep up the packets with its gravity. Unfortunately, transferring enough atmosphere that way would take an immense amount of time, even with thousands of mass drivers. Planets are BIG, and so are their coats. Mars, though enourmous, is smaller than Earth or Venus, so it's gravity wouldn't hold down the gas very well. It would need even more gas than the Earth has, just to reach equal pressure.
A better solution would be to build ecology controlled colonies, either in surface structures or underground, that would very gradually expand over the planet, utilizing the sequestered oxygen, carbon and hydrogen that we know is already there, supplemented as necessary by occasional infusions from other planets. That way, you only make the amount of atmosphere you actually need, not enough to cover unused parts of the planet, until you need them, importing gas as additions are made.
Recreating a magnetosphere on Mars by means of spinning up the planet's core could prove catastrophic, and would render Mars useless to us for millenia. Other means of protection from solar radiation, such as localized magnetic fields over populated areas, or heavy anti-radiation shielding, would be more in line with our technical capabilities in the foreseeable future. Building underground habitats for people would help save on shielding, heating power, gas leaks, etc., leaving the surface free for hydroponic domes, photovoltaic panels, roads and ports.

Answer 2

It's a fool's debate then because there is no way you can honestly make the claim that terraforming Mars should be NASA's top priority. Reasons why you would want to do it: 1) Create Oxygen on Mars 2) Overpopulation on Earth Reasons why it's ridiculous: 1) Won't work: atmosphere is too thin (not enough CO₂) and no magnetic field makes the planet deadly for life. 2) Even if you did terraform it, the oxygen produced would never be at levels high enough for humans to breathe because Mars cannot hold onto its atmosphere. 3) It would cost trillions of dollars to make an honest attempt (at least 100s of billions). 4) Even if it's possible, it would take 100s or 1000s of years to accomplish so it gives no immediate benefit...that doesn't mean we shouldn't try (if it seems plausible), but it means it shouldn't be a top priority. 5) Considering that for terraforming to be useful, we need to be able to send people to Mars AND considering that this is a HUGE challenge, it makes no sense to make terraforming a higher priority that long distance space flight research. We should focus on that before we ever even think about trying to terraform Mars. Edit: And if you think I'm just debating against you and not really helping you, you're wrong. If you are going to take the pro position then you will have to have answers to all of the above concerns (and probably more). Unfortunately, there is no answer to the above problems--which I why I said it was a fool's debate. If this is for class then your teacher should have done a better job at giving you a topic that is legitimately debatable.

Answer 3

I suppose that if you could introduce some form of photosynthesis you could get enough oxygen into the atmosphere to form an ozone layer that would help with the radiation problem. I think the real problem is that Mars is just not massive enough to retain a good atmosphere or have a magnetosphere from a molten iron core.
One idea that has occurred to me is to steer asteroids from the asteroid belt to slam into Mars. This would provide a lot of heat and maybe get water moving. I read somewhere that the total mass of all the asteroids is pretty low so it would probably not add much mass.

Answer 4

Theoretically, if we could detonate several nuclear devices in mars' core in a timed sequence, we could resurrect the planets ionosphere, BUT, the planet would be seismically unstable for hundreds if not thousands of years. And, not only do we not currently have the technological devices to make this possible, it would take another several thousands of years to terraform the planet. Terra-forming, to those of you who don't know this!, is gradually introducing microscopic and steadily larger organisms in a planet or area's ecosystem to create a safe, human-friendly atmosphere. But, if we even had the technology, the foresight, and more than theoretic guesses, do we really have that right? We don't truly know if some microscopic organism (maybe even sentient!) exists in a remote geode deep in the planet's crust or mantle (or dare I say it, the core) protected by geothermal or anti-radar material (i.e lead). I think that before we truly understand the earth's make-up, we cannot even begin to understand, and comprehend the infinitely complex process that is transforming a planet's basic structure and foundations. And, is I stated before, do we really have that right?

Answer 5

Like in Total Recall? Not likely. Aside from the radiation issue that you mentioned is also the fact that the atmosphere is Co2 and and a fraction of the volume of ours and the fact that it is freezing cold. Living outdoors is not an option in the foreseeable future. However if there is frozen subsurface water (which we pretty much know there is), that would help with creating a self- contained system on the planet.

Answer 6

radiation affects some organisms more than others. terraforming should probably start with bacteria anyway, and some of them are very resistant to ionising radiation. bacteria that currently survive in places like antarctica may be able to survive on mars too, and if not a bit of genetic engineering may do the trick. in fact such life forms may be present on mars already.

starting up the core sounds a tiny bit impractical...

Answer 7

Finding plant life that would be able to tolerate the conditions of the Martian climate so as to begin to generate oxygen for the human setting up the project.

Begin to tap and melt the ice frozen beneath the surface.

Use solar power to power the dwellings of the "new Martians".

Use the new technologies to build suitable protective housing.

Such is doable.

Answer 8

Send every politician on Earth to Mars, all of that hot air will fill the atmosphere of Mars and make it habitable for the rest of us.

Answer 9

Give it a century or two.