The possibility of traveling to outer space is an idea that has fascinated man for generations. Around the exploration of the red planet, just a few years ago we were wondering when we will get to Mars. Now, with the advances in astronaut missions, the question has changed completely. Now what worries us is knowing if you can live on Mars. If this small planet, the second smallest in the solar system and full of iron oxide that stains its surface reddish, could also function as a habitat for human beings. Today in Supercurious we have decided to tell you if Mars is habitable, revealing NASA’s incredible plan to make this corner of the universe a place to live.
The hypothesis that Mars is habitable
One of the most unusual curiosities of Mars, has given rise to a whole theory and a series of investigations in this regard. Water has been found in the territories of the red planet, and this finding could make it the second habitable planet in the solar system.
Now, saying that you can live on Mars does not imply packing up your bags and going to work and watching TV, as we are used to. The path of what life on Mars would be like is much longer and more complex. Let’s start with the fact that on the red planet time passes very slowly. A year on Mars would equal 687 Earth days, with each day lasting about forty minutes longer.
However, the idea that Mars is habitable no longer belongs only to the universe of the Science fiction. As fantastic as it may seem, scientists say that it is possible to achieve this feat. NASA has in its hands an ambitious project that consists of turning Mars into a habitable planet for human beings. The project in question was discussed by the Division of Planetary Sciences in Washington, and has found the most important elements for which science believes that life has not yet been found on Mars, more if it could exist in the past, or at least favorable conditions for it to develop.
The past and present of the Red Planet
Currently, the idea that you can live on Mars does not go much beyond the field of collective fantasy. What they have taught us about the red planet is that it is an arid, cold and very hostile land. But scientific studies have shown that conditions may have been very different in the past.
What they believe is that the country’s atmosphere may have been much denser in the past. This would have allowed the planet to find deep oceans and a much warmer climate., essential characteristics for the place to be habitable. What would have happened, then, that this atmosphere was not maintained until the present? Well, experts explain that everything changed when the planet lost its protective field, approximately four thousand two hundred million years ago. And that this would be the explanation for its current aridity.
So, can you live on Mars?
Well, the hypothesis that Mars is habitable begins to gain strength with the discovery of water, as well as exploration of the planet’s past. It is believed that in the past Mars had a magnetic field that protected its atmosphere, and that was the condition that generated its habitability.
In this sense, NASA proposes a way to return a dense atmosphere to Mars. The project consists of launching a powerful magnetic shield that covers the planet, which will allow it to become denser and little by little to improve the internal conditions to, in the future, make the place habitable.
Jim Green, director of NASA’s Planetary Sciences Division, explained the results of the simulations of this project at the Planetary Science Vision 2050 Workshop. Although it may sound like a fantastic idea, the idea that you can live on Mars seems plausible. The launch of an “artificial magnetosphere” is getting closer. In fact, the miniature magnetosphere already exists, which was developed to protect both astronauts and spacecraft from cosmic radiation. Experts believe that the same artificial miniature magnetosphere technology can be used on a much larger scale to protect the atmosphere of Mars. Green explained that it is feasible to establish this protective shield.
What would be achieved with an artificial magnetic field?
Scientists and researchers start from the premise that Mars is habitable if density conditions can be returned to its atmosphere. To do this, they propose the placement of a protective magnetic field, just like the one on Earth, but artificially. At present the Martian atmosphere is subject to very abrupt changes. It can go from -20 degrees Celsius during the day to -80 degrees at night. But By placing a protective magnetic field, it would aim to gradually recover the Martian atmosphere of the past, raising its temperature and recovering part of its ancient oceans.
In the simulations made in this regard, it has also been possible to counteract the effects of the solar wind and radiation with the magnetic field. It would also help trap heat on the planet, helping to melt the ice. The consequence would be that the deep oceans and rivers would re-emerge to the surface of the red planet, making possible an environment in which life can develop.
Future projections about whether you can live on Mars
Of course, the idea that you can live on Mars is just taking its first steps. There are many advances, but even more are missing to make it a reality. What scientists estimate is that a magnetic dipole be placed as a satellite to accompany the planet in its orbit and serve as protection. This would allow to deflect the solar winds, protect against radiation and increase the temperature.
In its initial stage, the project that states that it is possible to live on Mars, states that a kind of greenhouse effect would be generated, in which human beings could maintain stable conditions to preserve life. Jim Green and the other scientists who run this outpost, they estimate that by the 2030s and 2040s human colonies could be established on Marswhich would allow a deeper study and knowledge about the planet and its future colonization.
And you, Do you think that the idea that you can live on Mars is viable? Or do you think it’s a great plot for the next big screen release? Would you even dare to explore a habitable Mars? Undoubtedly an exciting topic that leaves a lot to think about. And if you are, like us, a fan of outer space, enjoy this selection of the most amazing phrases about the moon and space phrasesour inspiring satellite.