Terraforming Mars...

**jAZ** · 06-06-2007, 10:56 PM

DiscoveryHD has a show on now called "Mars Underground" which covers the idea that it's possible to Terraform Mars.

Mars has an atmosphere 1% of that on earth, and as a result of that and it's distance from the sun, it's peak temperature is about 0 degrees celcius.

But based on what we've learned in studying our own global warming through CO2 pollution, we have learned the atmospheric process that would be required to "pollute" Mars with greenhouse gases needed to create an atmosphere on Mars.

The calculations are that it would take about 100 years of modern "polluting" designed to create these gases on Mars.

At which point, the planet would be properly warmed enough to melt the frozen water on the planet and that naitive life on Mars would generate. If there were not naitive life in the frozen water, we could then transport our own trees, planets, etc.

That's where today's science runs out of capability. Because if it were to happen naturally, the process of using that plant life to generate sufficient oxygen for people to live without artificial respiration would take about 10,000 years.

Pretty cool idea that we've learned enough about our own eco-system that we might have the capability today (with sufficient investment) to manually warm a frozen planet through creating a natural atmosphere.

greg63 · 06-06-2007, 11:07 PM

...And then the little green Martians would naturally evolve and come to earth with a cook book entitled "How to Serve Man".

**Bowser** · 06-06-2007, 11:08 PM

Pffft. Everybody knows you just have to activate the device the ancient Martians built millions of years ago to get an atmosphere there.

BigOlChiefsfan · 06-06-2007, 11:11 PM

I was hoping the green Orion women from Star Trek would appear and dance the hoocheekoo.

In fact, I continue to hope that.

**jAZ** · 06-06-2007, 11:12 PM

There is a seemingly related show on now called "Space Station and Beyond" talking about our current Mars research.

**jAZ** · 06-06-2007, 11:12 PM

Here's a brief article on how it works...

http://science.howstuffworks.com/terraforming.htm

greg63 · 06-06-2007, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bowser

Pffft. Everybody knows you just have to activate the device the ancient Martians built millions of years ago to get an atmosphere there.

**007** · 06-06-2007, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bowser

Pffft. Everybody knows you just have to activate the device the ancient Martians built millions of years ago to get an atmosphere there.

thanks Ahnold.

greg63 · 06-06-2007, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guru

thanks Ahnold.

"[He'll] be back!"

RedDread · 06-06-2007, 11:25 PM

http://totallyrecalled.ytmnd.com/

http://takquaidsbreath.ytmnd.com/

**Bowser** · 06-06-2007, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guru

thanks Ahnold.

YOU BLEW MY COVAHHH!!! They'll kill you ALLLLLLL!!!

tiptap · 06-07-2007, 05:57 AM

The triology Red, Green and Blue Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson goes over this along with all the politics that might happen.

**2112** · 06-07-2007, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bowser

Pffft. Everybody knows you just have to activate the device the ancient Martians built millions of years ago to get an atmosphere there.

Visual

Oh my, I haven't seen that in years. Special effects sure have come along way in 17 years.

Miles · 06-07-2007, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bowser

YOU BLEW MY COVAHHH!!! They'll kill you ALLLLLLL!!!

Hope you are not "dead tired" from that post.

Miles · 06-07-2007, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tiptap

The triology Red, Green and Blue Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson goes over this along with all the politics that might happen.

I have only read Red Mars but when I saw the tread title I instantly thought of those novels.

06-06-2007, 10:56 PM
jAZ Supporter Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Tucson, AZ Casino cash: $9847493	Terraforming Mars... DiscoveryHD has a show on now called "Mars Underground" which covers the idea that it's possible to Terraform Mars. Mars has an atmosphere 1% of that on earth, and as a result of that and it's distance from the sun, it's peak temperature is about 0 degrees celcius. But based on what we've learned in studying our own global warming through CO2 pollution, we have learned the atmospheric process that would be required to "pollute" Mars with greenhouse gases needed to create an atmosphere on Mars. The calculations are that it would take about 100 years of modern "polluting" designed to create these gases on Mars. At which point, the planet would be properly warmed enough to melt the frozen water on the planet and that naitive life on Mars would generate. If there were not naitive life in the frozen water, we could then transport our own trees, planets, etc. That's where today's science runs out of capability. Because if it were to happen naturally, the process of using that plant life to generate sufficient oxygen for people to live without artificial respiration would take about 10,000 years. Pretty cool idea that we've learned enough about our own eco-system that we might have the capability today (with sufficient investment) to manually warm a frozen planet through creating a natural atmosphere.
Posts: 24,799

06-06-2007, 11:07 PM	#2
greg63 Homer go crazy!!! Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: SE Kansas Casino cash: $9324990	...And then the little green Martians would naturally evolve and come to earth with a cook book entitled "How to Serve Man". __________________
Posts: 17,564

06-06-2007, 11:08 PM	#3
Bowser sorta mod-ish Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: KC North Casino cash: $3541616	Pffft. Everybody knows you just have to activate the device the ancient Martians built millions of years ago to get an atmosphere there.
Posts: 100,451

06-06-2007, 11:11 PM	#4
BigOlChiefsfan Certified Bourbon taster Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Shawnee KS Casino cash: $7290157	I was hoping the green Orion women from Star Trek would appear and dance the hoocheekoo. In fact, I continue to hope that. __________________ A man can never own too much red wine, too many books, or too much ammunition. -- R. Kipling
Posts: 5,029

06-06-2007, 11:12 PM	#5
jAZ Supporter Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Tucson, AZ Casino cash: $9847493	There is a seemingly related show on now called "Space Station and Beyond" talking about our current Mars research.
Posts: 24,799

06-06-2007, 11:25 PM	#10
RedDread Veteran Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Back in KC Casino cash: $10007771	http://totallyrecalled.ytmnd.com/ http://takquaidsbreath.ytmnd.com/ __________________
Posts: 4,167

06-07-2007, 05:57 AM	#12
tiptap Is this it? Join Date: Jan 2004 Casino cash: $10007847	The triology Red, Green and Blue Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson goes over this along with all the politics that might happen. __________________ Even a superstitious man has certain inalienable rights. He has a right to harbor and indulge his imbecilities as long as he pleases. . . He has a right to argue for them as eloquently as he can, in season and out of season. He has a right to teach them to his children. But certainly he has no right to be protected against the free criticism of those who do not hold them. He has no right to demand that they be treated as sacred. He has no right to preach them without challenge." -H.L. Mencken
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