Terraforming Mars
Sam
be transformed into a habitable planet.
One such suggestion is to cause a nuclear explosion on Mars that would
add heat and trigger a greenhouse effect, as massive amounts of dust
would get into the Mars atmosphere.
Another suggestion is to sprinkle dark dust particles that would warm
up the poles and absorb sunlight in the atmosphere as well.
Here's a new suggestion. A team of NASA agency Ames recently pointed
out that fluorine-based gases could be made from elements that are
readily available on Mars.
In particular, a compound called octafluoropropane, or C3F8, could
thicken the atmosphere, especially when combined with other gases.
Computer modeling showed that adding some 300 parts per million of the
gas mixture would spark a runaway greenhouse effect. Frozen carbon
dioxide would evaporate, leading to further warming.
An article at New Scientist discusses this at:
http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn6973
One of the things that needs to be studied more closer is the question
whether life exist on Mars and if such terraforming could destroy that
life. Does anyone have any more ideas?
Anyway, all the above scenarios require expedition to Mars. Here's a
suggestion that could be done while staying cloer to Earth. How about
positioning large mirrors in space pointing sunlight at Mars.
An added advantage of the latter idea could be that, when positioned
above earth, such mirrors could deflect some of the sunlight normally
shining on Earth to Mars. This way, perhaps some of the negative
effects of gloabl warming could be avoided.
Any views on this? How much would it cost?