this post was submitted on 14 Jun 2023
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Should we terraform Mars? (en.wikipedia.org)
submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by hedge@beehaw.org to c/science@beehaw.org
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If so, this should not preclude us from cleaning up our own planet first!

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[–] spicemouse@beehaw.org 5 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I think it's unfortunately a bad idea for three main reasons (ignoring any practical issues with the terraforming):

  • the low gravity can't be changed, and can't be ignored.
  • the lack of a magnetic field means issues with radiation reaching the surface we're shielded from
  • the combination of these two would lead to any atmosphere we could create needing regular top ups, as it would be erroding constantly.
[–] hedge@beehaw.org 6 points 1 year ago

The magnetic field issue is a biggie, and would have to be addressed before any large-scale colonization efforts could begin, but is hypothetically solvable.

[–] usualsuspect191@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Yeah, there have to be better alternatives than Mars if we really want to have large human colonies outside of earth.