The concept of human beings going to live on mars permanently can be termed as the colonization of mars (Zubrin, 2011, p.233). The idea was taken lightly in the past. Recently, however, the matter has been taken more seriously with more studies of life survival in mars being done. The Martian environment differs slightly with that of earth and any living organism set to live on mars will encounter these changes which will definitely affect them.
Typically, a solar day in mars is a little bit longer on mars than that of earth. In mars, a solar day lasts for 20 hours and approximately 40 minutes earth’s time. This, therefore, means that if life is to be set on mars then people will have approximately 40 minutes of a solar day (New views of the solar system. 2013, p.43). This will translate to 22 more hours for a month and several more days in a year.
Difference in time of revolution around the sun and the angle at which it is tilted on its axis makes mars have a different climatic circle with that of the earth. Mars takes 1.88 earths years to revolve around the sun (New views of the solar system. 2013, p.43). This is because of the longer orbit it follows. It is also tilted 25.2 degrees whereas earth is tilted 23.4 degrees. Even though they may be similar Martian climatic cycle will vary (in terms of time) with that of earth.
Mars has no liquid water (Turner, 2004, p.20). Frozen water has, however, been detected in some regions of the planet. The gravitational pull of mars is lower than that of the earth. It is approximately 38% that of the earth (Bergin, 2002, p.30). Martian temperature is ranges between -87 degrees and -5 degrees which is way below that of earth (Rand, 2011, p.15). The fact that it is further from the sun as compared to earth means is further received less solar radiation that the earth. Martian atmospheric pressure is also a way below that of earth. In mars, carbon (IV) oxide makes up 95% of the atmosphere and oxygen is less than 0.4% (Monroe & Wicander, 2014, p.14). Lack of liquid water, low temperatures and low atmospheric pressure mean that mars have no rainfall. Wind is also very low if any. Soil composition is adverse and can hardly support any plant life.
The environmental conditions of mars are deadly and does not support life. The high concentration of carbon (IV) oxide in the atmosphere, which is poisonous to humans, makes the place inhabitable. There have however been encounters with microorganisms that are viable in that condition. This might mean that there might be some way of making life for human and plant life.
If people were to live on mars, it would be mainly because of two reasons. First is to decongest earth. The earth’s population is fast growing, and land is becoming scarce every day. Humans will, therefore, resort to live on mars just to get more space for their offspring. Secondly, humans will decide to live on mars to explore the universe more. Curiosity will push people to move to the new environment to find out what has not been discovered. Moving to Mars will, therefore, allow human beings to explore the universe more.
A very small population will decide to go live permanently in mars. This is because it is human nature to be afraid of change. People will be hesitant to live their native planet for a new home in a totally new planet. For the small number of people who will decide to live on mars, it will be advisable to for them to live in clusters around specific regions such as where there is frozen water and where life might be favoured more. This would be to take care of any emergency situations that may arise. Exploration of the entire mars would then continue form the specific clustered areas they will have settled.
Setting up permanent life on mars will first decongest earth. As more people move to Mars, fewer people will remain on earth. The decreased number on people on earth will result to an economic slowdown. Both producers and consumers will be reduced, and the number of economic activity on earth will significantly reduce. The cost of living will reduce due to the reduced competition within the market.
There are several steps that should be undertaken so as to make mars habitable for humans. First the planet needs to be warmed up. The low temperatures of mars cannot support both human and plant life. Warming can be done by exploding hydrogen bombs on the planet. The next step would be to turn the planet green and make the atmosphere breathable. This can be done by introducing moss and lichen which can survive on carbon (IV) oxide. This plants will pave a way for more vulnerable plants. The soil composition should also be made cultivatable by adding nutrients. Grass shrubs and trees should then be introduced in plenty on the planet. Doing this will make mars habitable even though it might not be as warm or wet as earth.
References
Bergin, M. (2002). Exploration of Mars. Brighton: Book House.
Monroe, J., & Wicander, R. (2014). The changing earth: Exploring geology and evolution.
Cengage Learning.
New views of the solar system. (2013). Chicago: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc
Rand, C. (2011). Measuring temperature. Oxford: Raintree.
Turner, M. J. L. (2004). Expedition Mars. London [u.a.: Springer.
Zubrin, R. (2011). The case for Mars: The plan to settle the Red Planet and why we must.
Simon and Schuster.
