Terraforming Mars...

[jAZ]

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]

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

[Bowser]

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

[BigOlChiefsfan]

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

In fact, I continue to hope that.

[jAZ]

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

[jAZ]

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

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

[greg63]

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

ROFL

[007]

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]

thanks Ahnold.
"[He'll] be back!"

[RedDread]

http://totallyrecalled.ytmnd.com/

http://takquaidsbreath.ytmnd.com/

[Bowser]

thanks Ahnold.

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

[tiptap]

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

[2112]

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

<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/n5sRvKsaGFs"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/n5sRvKsaGFs" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>

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

[Miles]

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

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

[Miles]

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.

[Miles]

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

Get your ass to Mars.

[morphius]

With a limited magnetic field, I don't see how the planet could sustain an atmosphere.

[JohninGpt]

With a limited magnetic field, I don't see how the planet could sustain an atmosphere.
I thought the atmosphere was held by gravity, not magnetism.

[FAX]

I thought the atmosphere was held by gravity, not magnetism.

An excellent observation, Mr. JohninGpt, but this rule only applies in cases in which the atmosphere is not made of metal.

FAX

[duncan_idaho]

Get your ass to Mars.

You think this is the real Quaid? It is!

See you at the party, Richter!

[Pushead2]

Let's do it!!!!!

[morphius]

I thought the atmosphere was held by gravity, not magnetism.
Ah, gravity is part of the issue as well, but without a magnetic field the atmosphere is exposed to the solar wind, which has a wonderful ability to shred it off.

They have even seen on mars where there are smaller short range magnetic fields that there is more atmosphere in those areas. They are just not very stable.

[Mr. Laz]

i guess practicing terraforming on mars would give us more knowledge about how we can terraform our own.

[tooge]

maybe we could genetically engineer the new martian chicks to like giving it up. Then I could actually get laid there. I'm in!

[keg in kc]

maybe we could genetically engineer the new martian chicks to like giving it up. Then I could actually get laid there. I'm in!And this is the point where the discussion switched from science fiction to fantasy.

[Mr. Laz]

And this is the point where the discussion switched from science fiction to fantasy.
i didn't think i'd ever meet anyone as cynical and bitter as i am.



i'm not afraid to admit when i'm wrong.

[JohninGpt]

maybe we could genetically engineer the new martian chicks to like giving it up. Then I could actually get laid there. I'm in!
In 10,100 years.