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Mars' Atmosphere
This is probably a very stupid question, but since Mars' atmosphere is
predominantly Carbon Dioxide, would it be possible to put plants on the planet with a long-term view to begin the generation of some sort of oxygen based atmosphere? |
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Mars' Atmosphere
I think that's one of the general ideas behind terraforming. Take thousands
of years though, right guys? -- Michael Anthony "Jase" wrote in message ... This is probably a very stupid question, but since Mars' atmosphere is predominantly Carbon Dioxide, would it be possible to put plants on the planet with a long-term view to begin the generation of some sort of oxygen based atmosphere? |
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Mars' Atmosphere
"Jase" wrote in message ... This is probably a very stupid question, but since Mars' atmosphere is predominantly Carbon Dioxide, would it be possible to put plants on the planet with a long-term view to begin the generation of some sort of oxygen based atmosphere? Thats the standard terraforming plan, first they have to discover if there is existing life already, and more importantly... how to get water |
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Mars' Atmosphere
"Jase" wrote in message ... This is probably a very stupid question, but since Mars' atmosphere is predominantly Carbon Dioxide, would it be possible to put plants on the planet with a long-term view to begin the generation of some sort of oxygen based atmosphere? Yep. But not many plants can live in temperatures reaching a low of ~-100C in poisonous 'soil' void of both nutrients and water. Probably the only thing that could survive is some sort of geneered algae, bacteria, lichen or moss... or something like that. Even then, it would take an inordinately long time, and it wouldn't introduce any atmospheric pressure, so it would still be unbreathable. The biggest problem with modifying Mars' atmosphere into a breathable form is introducing nitrogen. As far as I'm aware, there are virtually no nitrates in the Martian regolith, so nitrogen must be imported. And the biggest supply of nitrogen is Titan (or is it Triton? I always get those two confused) but I'm pretty sure that all that sort of thing will happen WAAAAAAAAAAAY in the future, if it even happens at all. If you are interested in Mars and its terraforming potential, and you also like science fiction, then I can highly recommend the trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson; Red Mars, Green Mars, Blue Mars. He spent about 17 years researching/writing the series and it shows. It's almost like he's been in a time machine into the future and actually seen how it'll all be... Amazing. Anyway... I'll stop babbling now : ) Plankmeister. |
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Mars' Atmosphere
On Wed, 14 Jan 2004 21:47:50 -0000, "Jase" wrote:
This is probably a very stupid question, but since Mars' atmosphere is predominantly Carbon Dioxide, would it be possible to put plants on the planet with a long-term view to begin the generation of some sort of oxygen based atmosphere? Not stupid, and the subject of much debate. The first thing you need is water, after that you could introduce some genetically modified microbes better able to thrive in the conditions, and also able to covert CO2 to free O2 faster than common terrestrial plants. Given the ability to do that, you then have the debate as to whether you should go ahead and do it. ChrisH UK Astro Ads: http://www.UKAstroAds.co.uk |
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Mars' Atmosphere
"Jase" wrote in message ... This is probably a very stupid question, but since Mars' atmosphere is predominantly Carbon Dioxide, would it be possible to put plants on the planet with a long-term view to begin the generation of some sort of oxygen based atmosphere? A more fundamental problem is that the atmospheric pressure on Mars is only ~1% of Earth - so plants could not live since they could not retain any water (if there was any in the first place) as it would "boil" off. This is because the atmospheric pressure there is less than the vapour pressure of water at any temperature above freezing (and for several degrees below as well). cheers Bill |
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Mars' Atmosphere
In article ,
Jase wrote: This is probably a very stupid question, but since Mars' atmosphere is predominantly Carbon Dioxide, would it be possible to put plants on the planet with a long-term view to begin the generation of some sort of oxygen based atmosphere? They would need to be very unusual plants, given the extremely low temperatures, the very low atmospheric pressure (which, in particular, makes it hard to hang onto liquid water), and the extreme scarcity of water vapor (ditto). Nor would an oxygen atmosphere that thin be very useful, alas. -- MOST launched 30 June; science observations running | Henry Spencer since Oct; first surprises seen; papers pending. | |
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Mars' Atmosphere
A little off-topic, but:
If humans ever planned to terraform mars' atmosphere, what would be the maximum pressure that could be attained? Surely Mars' gravity would be a limiting factor; it couldn't possibly grow beyond one-third of Earth's atmospheric pressure. Just curious! Paul. |
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Mars' Atmosphere
"Paul Neave" wrote in message
... If humans ever planned to terraform mars' atmosphere, what would be the maximum pressure that could be attained? Surely Mars' gravity would be a limiting factor; it couldn't possibly grow beyond one-third of Earth's atmospheric pressure. That is like the question..."How much water can we get into this leaking bucket?" Sally |
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Mars' Atmosphere
"Paul Neave" wrote:
A little off-topic, but: If humans ever planned to terraform mars' atmosphere, what would be the maximum pressure that could be attained? Surely Mars' gravity would be a limiting factor; it couldn't possibly grow beyond one-third of Earth's atmospheric pressure. Did you get that 1/3 by assuming that Earth's atmosphere is at its maximum sustainable volume? Mars's atmosphere could possibly be even "thicker" because of the distance from the sun. I don't know...just guessing. Just curious! Paul. |
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