Terraforming aims to transform planets into earth-like entities that can support life. Mars is the most likely candidate, but there are hurdles to overcome such as the lack of liquid water, low surface temperature, and no oxygen in the atmosphere. Innovative technologies such as genetically modified plants, greenhouse gases, mirrors, and nanodevices could make the process feasible. Scientists are studying the feasibility of terraforming Mars.
Terraforming is a controversial and currently theoretical science with the goal of transforming planets, moons, or other celestial bodies into earth-like entities that could eventually support life.
Mars seems the most likely candidate since it is more like Earth than any other object in our vicinity. If the dream of introducing life to Mars is to be at all possible, here are some of the hurdles that would need to be addressed:
While we have successfully sent spacecraft to Mars, it is still difficult and expensive to achieve.
There appears to be no liquid water on the surface of Mars.
The average surface temperature on Mars is -63°C (-81°F), although some parts are much hotter.
The atmosphere contains practically no oxygen.
While terraforming Mars would likely be a long and expensive project, there are some innovative technologies and ideas that could make the process feasible. A genetically modified plant, for example, could self-propagate and convert carbon dioxide in the Martian atmosphere into oxygen. Greenhouse gases could be generated to raise the surface temperature making Mars more hospitable. Other theorists say huge mirrors made of thin mylar could be positioned to reflect sunlight to warm up small regions of Mars. Perhaps even self-propagating nanodevices developed from nanotechnology could help in the process.
Theorists ascertain that the Earth was once not hospitable to life but is now home to abundant life; Couldn’t we alter and accelerate the evolution of another planet so that it, too, can support life? Although terraforming is mostly a part of science fiction, serious and capable scientists are starting to lecture and do calculations to determine the feasibility of such an ambitious project.
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