Why Scientists Think Elon Musk's Mars Idea is Terrible

Summary

The script explores the controversial idea of terraforming Mars through nuclear detonations, as suggested by Elon Musk, questioning its scientific validity. It delves into the challenges, including Mars' lack of greenhouse gases and magnetic field, and the potential radiation hazards of nuclear options. The video also discusses alternative methods like using a magnetic shield, asteroid impacts, and greenhouse gas factories for a gradual and sustainable transformation of the planet, emphasizing the need for advanced technology and ethical considerations.

Takeaways

• 🌌 The concept of nuking Mars to terraform it was popularized by Elon Musk, but he is not a scientist with expertise in the relevant fields.
• 🚀 The idea behind nuking Mars is to release greenhouse gases to warm the planet, but this method has significant scientific and ethical issues.
• 🔍 Studies have shown that there isn't enough ice on Mars to significantly change its temperature even if all were vaporized.
• 💥 The detonation of nuclear bombs would irradiate Mars, making it uninhabitable for an extended period.
• 🌡️ Mars lacks a magnetic field, leading to solar winds stripping its atmosphere and reducing the effectiveness of any greenhouse gas introduction.
• ❄️ Melting Mars' polar ice caps with nuclear explosions might release some water vapor, but not enough to substantially warm the planet.
• 🛡️ A proposed alternative to nuking involves setting up a magnetic shield to protect Mars' atmosphere from solar winds, allowing gases to accumulate.
• 🌳 Terraforming Mars would also require introducing oxygen and creating fertile soil, which might involve planting and genetic engineering.
• 🔨 The technology for successful terraforming, such as fusion power for vaporizing rocks or a magnetic shield for Mars, is not yet available.
• 🌟 Ethical considerations include the potential impact on any undiscovered Martian life and the right to alter an entire planet's environment.
• 🌍 The long-term goal of terraforming Mars is tied to the survival and expansion of the human race, highlighting the importance of space exploration and research.

Q & A

What is the central idea proposed by Elon Musk regarding Mars that is discussed in the script?

The script discusses Elon Musk's idea of using nuclear weapons to terraform Mars by releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere to warm up the planet, making it more hospitable for human life.

Why is Elon Musk's credibility on the subject of terraforming Mars questioned in the script?

Elon Musk's credibility is questioned because, despite having a background in physics, he lacks advanced degrees or peer-reviewed studies in the sciences directly related to terraforming, such as geology, biology, and climate physics.

What is the average temperature of Mars and why is it inhospitable for humans?

The average temperature of Mars is around -81 degrees Fahrenheit. It is inhospitable for humans due to the extreme cold and the lack of a substantial atmosphere to retain heat.

What role do greenhouse gases play in the process of terraforming Mars as discussed in the script?

Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and water vapor, are crucial in the terraforming process as they can help trap heat in Mars' atmosphere, thereby increasing the planet's temperature to make it more suitable for life.

What is the main argument against the effectiveness of using nuclear bombs to release greenhouse gases on Mars, according to the script?

The main argument is that there is not enough ice on Mars to significantly change the planet's temperature even if all of it were vaporized by nuclear detonations, as demonstrated by a study conducted by Bruce Jakosky and Christopher Edwards.

How does the lack of a magnetic field on Mars affect the potential for terraforming?

The lack of a magnetic field on Mars allows solar winds to eject gases from its atmosphere into space, which would reduce the greenhouse gases introduced by any terraforming efforts and hinder the warming of the planet.

What alternative method to using nuclear weapons is suggested in the script for preventing the loss of greenhouse gases from Mars?

The script suggests setting up a magnetic shield between Mars and the sun, similar to Earth's magnetic field, to protect the Martian atmosphere from solar storms and high-energy particles that cause the loss of greenhouse gases.

What are some of the ethical considerations mentioned in the script regarding the terraforming of Mars?

The script raises questions about the right to modify an entire planet, the potential impact on undiscovered microbial life, and the moral implications of using destructive methods such as nuclear bombs or asteroid impacts for terraforming.

What is the estimated atmospheric pressure on Mars after hypothetically releasing all the greenhouse gases, and how does it compare to Earth's?

After releasing all the greenhouse gases, Mars's atmospheric pressure would only reach 1.2 percent of Earth's, which is far from sufficient to support human life.

What is the 'nuclear winter' scenario mentioned in the script, and how could it affect the terraforming of Mars?

A 'nuclear winter' refers to a severe and prolonged decrease in temperature caused by dust and particles blocking sunlight after a large-scale nuclear explosion. In the context of Mars, it could counteract the terraforming efforts by dropping temperatures below the already inhospitable levels.

What role do asteroids play in one of the terraforming methods discussed in the script?

In one of the methods, asteroids are considered as a means to deliver a large impact to Mars, releasing energy, water, and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which could potentially speed up the terraforming process.

How does the script suggest addressing the lack of oxygen on Mars for human survival after terraforming?

The script suggests growing plants across the planet as a way to generate enough oxygen for humans to breathe. However, it acknowledges the challenge of doing so without counteracting the greenhouse effect that has been built up.

What technological advancements are mentioned as prerequisites for successful terraforming of Mars?

The script mentions the need for advancements in technology such as creating a magnetic shield, developing fusion power for vaporizing rocks, and possibly using genetically engineered pioneering species to convert Martian soil into usable dirt.

Outlines

00:00

🚀 Elon Musk's Mars Terraforming Idea

The script introduces the concept of using nuclear weapons to terraform Mars, an idea popularized by Elon Musk. It critically examines Musk's scientific credibility and suggests skepticism towards his proposal due to his background in solid-state physics rather than relevant terraforming sciences. The summary highlights the basic premise of increasing Mars' temperature by releasing greenhouse gases but points out the limitations of Mars' existing CO2 and water resources, the lack of a magnetic field, and the potential for solar winds to deplete the atmosphere. It also mentions the work of scientists Bruce Jakosky and Christopher Edwards, who argue that there isn't enough ice on Mars to significantly alter its climate, even with nuclear detonations.

05:03

☢️ The Drawbacks of Nuclear Detonation on Mars

This paragraph delves into the negative consequences of using nuclear bombs for terraforming Mars, including the irradiation of the planet's surface and the potential for a nuclear winter effect. It discusses the long time frame required for radiation levels to decrease to a safe threshold for human habitation and the risk of blocking sunlight, which would counteract the warming efforts. The paragraph also explores alternative terraforming methods, such as creating a magnetic shield to protect Mars from solar storms, allowing the atmosphere to retain heat over time. It mentions the need for further technological development and precise calculations for such a shield to be effective.

10:04

🌌 Advanced Terraforming Techniques for Mars

The script presents advanced terraforming strategies, including asteroid bombardment to deliver energy and greenhouse gases, as well as the use of a giant mirror to reflect sunlight and warm the Martian surface. It discusses the technical and logistical challenges of these methods, such as the need for precise asteroid redirection and the immense scale of the mirror required. The paragraph also touches on the potential for using fusion power to vaporize Martian rocks and release CO2, though it acknowledges that such technology is not yet available. The summary underscores the complexity and long-term nature of these terraforming approaches.

15:08

🌱 The Future of Mars Terraforming and Ethical Considerations

The final paragraph discusses the combination of various terraforming methods that might be necessary for Mars, including nuclear detonations, asteroid impacts, and the use of a space mirror. It raises questions about the ethics of terraforming an entire planet and the potential discovery of life on Mars. The summary also addresses the need for further space exploration and scientific research to develop the required technology. It concludes by emphasizing the importance of listening to scientific evidence and continuing to pursue space travel and exploration, suggesting that the future of terraforming Mars lies in a combination of techniques and a commitment to advancing our understanding of the cosmos.

Keywords

💡Terraforming

Terraforming refers to the hypothetical process of modifying the environment of a planet to make it habitable by humans. In the context of the video, it is about transforming Mars into a more Earth-like planet, which is the central theme. The script discusses various methods, including the release of greenhouse gases and the use of nuclear detonations, to achieve this.

💡Elon Musk

Elon Musk is an entrepreneur known for his ventures in electric vehicles and space exploration. The script mentions him as the person who brought the idea of 'nuking Mars' to public attention, highlighting his influence on popular culture and the space industry, despite not being a scientist.

💡Greenhouse Gases

Greenhouse gases are gases in a planet's atmosphere that trap heat and contribute to the greenhouse effect. The video discusses the necessity of increasing greenhouse gases like CO2 and H2O in Mars' atmosphere to raise its temperature and make it more habitable, drawing parallels to the climate change issues on Earth.

💡Nuclear Detonation

Nuclear detonation refers to the explosion caused by the rapid release of energy from nuclear reactions. The script explores the idea of using nuclear bombs to release greenhouse gases on Mars, although it is later criticized as impractical and harmful due to the radiation it would cause.

💡Magnetic Shield

A magnetic shield is a hypothetical structure that could protect a planet from solar wind and high-energy particles. The video mentions the concept of placing a magnetic shield around Mars to prevent the loss of its atmosphere and to allow the build-up of greenhouse gases, which is key to the terraforming process.

💡Solar Wind

Solar wind consists of a stream of charged particles released from the sun's upper atmosphere. The script explains that Mars lacks a protective magnetic field, making it susceptible to solar winds that strip away its atmosphere, which is a significant challenge for terraforming.

💡Atmospheric Pressure

Atmospheric pressure is the force exerted by the weight of air above a given area. The video emphasizes the need for Mars to have a similar atmospheric pressure to Earth's to support human life, which is currently far from being achieved even with extensive terraforming efforts.

💡Asteroid Bombardment

Asteroid bombardment is a theoretical method of terraforming that involves directing asteroids to impact a planet. The script suggests using asteroids rich in ice and ammonia to deliver additional greenhouse gases and energy to Mars, which could potentially speed up the warming process.

💡Fusion Power

Fusion power is a form of energy generation that comes from the fusion of atomic nuclei, similar to the process that powers the sun. The video mentions the need for a fusion power source to provide the immense energy required to vaporize rocks and release CO2 on Mars, indicating a future technological advancement.

💡Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

Chlorofluorocarbons are chemicals that were once widely used as refrigerants and propellants but are now known for their destructive effects on Earth's ozone layer. The script humorously suggests using CFCs as beneficial greenhouse gases on Mars to warm the planet, contrasting their harmful effects on Earth.

💡Ethical Considerations

Ethical considerations refer to the moral principles that guide decision-making. The video raises questions about the ethics of terraforming Mars, such as the potential impact on undiscovered life forms and the right to alter an entire planet's environment, prompting viewers to consider the implications of such actions.

Highlights

Nuking Mars is proposed as a method for terraforming to make it habitable for humans.

Elon Musk's suggestion to use nuclear weapons for terraforming Mars lacks scientific credibility.

The average temperature of Mars is -81 degrees Fahrenheit, making it inhospitable for life as we know it.

The idea behind nuking Mars is to release greenhouse gases to warm the planet.

Mars' atmosphere is mostly carbon dioxide but lacks the quantity needed for significant warming.

Nuking Mars' poles could potentially convert ice into water vapor, a greenhouse gas.

A study indicates insufficient ice on Mars to significantly alter its climate even if vaporized.

Mars lacks a magnetic field, leading to solar winds ejecting gases from its atmosphere.

Terraforming Mars would require a similar atmospheric pressure to Earth's to support human life.

Nuclear detonations on Mars would irradiate the planet, delaying human settlement.

A magnetic shield is proposed to protect Mars from solar storms and preserve its atmosphere.

Deep mining Mars might release more CO2 necessary for terraforming, but this requires advanced technology.

Fusion power may be needed to generate the energy required for terraforming Mars.

Asteroid bombardment is another method considered to deliver energy and greenhouse gases to Mars.

Creating greenhouse gas factories on Mars could induce climate change similar to Earth's.

A giant mirror in space could warm Mars by reflecting sunlight onto its surface.

Combining various methods may be the best approach to terraforming Mars.

Ethical considerations arise when contemplating the right to modify an entire planet.

The necessity for Mars terraforming is discussed in the context of Earth's environmental challenges.

Current technology is insufficient for Mars terraforming, and a combination of techniques will likely be needed in the future.

The reinvigoration of space exploration and the need for continued scientific funding are emphasized.

Transcripts

The world watches the night sky in anticipation.

Nukes have been deployed across Mars and will be detonated simultaneously.

There is a bright flash of light as the red dot in the sky is replaced by a white glow.

The bombs have gone off on Mars and now bathe its surface in intense heat and radiation.

The hope is that by nuking the crap out of the Red Planet, we can terraform it into a

hospitable place for humans to live.

But will this actually work?

Let’s find out.

Nuking Mars as a means of terraforming the planet was brought to the public’s attention

by Elon Musk on a late-night talk show.

It is important to keep in mind that Elon is not a scientist.

He does not have an advanced degree in the sciences, nor has he ever published a peer-reviewed

study pertaining to any of the sciences.

Yes, he does have a BS in physics, yet unfortunately, most of his course work was in solid-state

physics, which does not make him an expert in geology, biology, climate physics, or pretty

much anything to do with terraforming.

We just want to bring this to your attention and point out that he is not the most credible

source for science-related information.

Therefore, when he says something like “dropping thermonuclear weapons over the poles” would

allow us to terraform Mars, his statement should be taken with a grain of salt.

To be fair, anyone wearing a “Nuke Mars” t-shirt shirt probably shouldn’t be the

first person you ask for ideas on how to terraform our neighboring planet.

But could Elon Musk’s plan be so crazy that it could work?

The basic premise behind nuking Mars is to release greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere

that would warm up the planet.

Currently, the average temperature of Mars is around -81 degrees Fahrenheit.

Obviously, this is inhospitable for humans and pretty much every lifeform on planet Earth.

In order to increase the temperature of our neighboring planet, we need to put more greenhouse

gasses in its atmosphere so that heat can be retained.

Now keep in mind we are somewhat experts on how to do this as we are dumping greenhouse

gasses into our own atmosphere every day.

This is what is driving climate change and leading to the global temperature increase

on our planet.

However, unlike Mars, we shouldn’t be warming Earth as it will have drastic consequences

for humans and all living things on our planet.

But you may be surprised to learn that what we are doing to our planet today may actually

help us terraform Mars in the future.

Currently, the majority of Mars’ atmosphere is made up of carbon dioxide, which is an

important greenhouse gas, but there’s just not enough of it.

Water vapor is also a greenhouse gas that can increase the planet's temperature.

Since Mars has a decent amount of water frozen at its poles, nuking them could convert the

ice into water vapor, which then would be released into the atmosphere.

The combination of CO2, H2O, and other greenhouse gasses in Earth’s atmosphere is what keeps

our planet so toasty and allows us to live comfortably on it.

So, Elon’s idea is to change the composition of Mars’ atmosphere to allow it to retain

heat and become our second home.

In theory, nuking Mars would most certainly release water vapor and even more CO2 into

the atmosphere, but there are a couple of problems with this plan.

A recent study conducted by Bruce Jakosky and Christopher Edwards, two scientists from

the University of Colorado Boulder and Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, respectively,

has shown that there just isn’t enough ice on Mars to change the temperature of the planet

even if it was all vaporized and deposited into the atmosphere by nukes.

This puts a huge hole in Elon Musk’s plans for terraforming the planet.

Although, this doesn’t seem to be a deterrent for the owner of SpaceX and Tesla.

Elon has also stated that by nuking Mars, CO2 stored in the planet’s rocks and crust

would be released into the atmosphere.

But again, the actual scientists who have analyzed the data have concluded that there

isn’t even enough CO2 contained within the surface rocks on Mars to warm up the planet

to hospitable levels.

The reason for this is that Martian rocks are very different from Earth rocks.

The rocks on Earth that contain a lot of CO2, like limestone, get help from microbes that

sequester carbon within them.

It is a mix of living and nonliving processes that allows high amounts of carbon to get

trapped within the rocks of Earth.

On Mars, however, these biotic processes do not take place.

The only process that traps CO2 within the rocks of Mars is the slow seeping of molecules

from the atmosphere into the surface of the planet.

This is not a very efficient process.

But the lack of significant amounts of CO2 and water on Mars is not the only problem

that Elon’s plan faces.

Unlike Earth, the Red Planet does not have a magnetic field protecting it.

This means that solar winds tend to eject gasses from Mars’ atmosphere into space.

With every lost particle, the greenhouse gasses that were put into the atmosphere by nukes

would be reduced, eventually returning the Martian atmosphere to its original composition.

On top of this, scientists have noted that even though Mars is smaller than Earth, its

distance from the sun requires that it have a similar atmospheric pressure as Earth in

order to support human life.

Its atmosphere also needs to contain the same amount of CO2 as Earth in order to warm the

planet to suitable temperatures.

However, it is estimated that even if the entire planet were nuked to release the water

from the icecaps and carbon dioxide into the air, the resulting gasses would only make

Mars's atmospheric pressure 1.2 percent of Earth’s.

This is not nearly high enough, which further hinders the Nuke Mars plan.

What the science tells us is that Elon Musk’s plan to nuke Mars would not result in the

planet being terraformed.

There would be an increase in greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere, but it would not be enough

to significantly alter the climate of the planet.

And on top of that, there is a pretty obvious negative side effect to using nuclear weapons

to blow up the surface of an entire planet.

Detonating nuclear bombs comes with a large amount of radiation.

If we detonated enough nukes to liberate all of the water from the ice caps and surface

rocks, the entire planet would become irradiated from the bombs.

This kind of defeats the purpose of terraforming because humans would not be able to step foot

on the surface until the radiation levels went down.

It would likely take a very long time for the radiation to reach acceptable levels,

but since no one has ever nuked an entire planet before, it is hard to tell exactly

how long.

There is reason to believe that it could take decades before it would be safe to send an

expedition to Mars after detonating nukes across the planet.

And it could be even longer before it would be safe to grow plants on the Martian surface.

Another nasty consequence of blowing up Mars with nukes is that it could send the planet

into a nuclear winter.

Again, this kind of defeats the purpose of terraforming the planet if we can’t live

on it.

If enough dust and particles were kicked up into the atmosphere, they could block the

sun’s light from reaching the Martian surface.

This would cause the temperature to drop even lower than it currently is.

Eventually, the particles would settle out of the atmosphere, and at that point, the

temperature would start to rise.

But since we know there isn’t enough water or carbon dioxide on the surface of the planet

to raise the temperature to adequate levels, nuking Mars is not a great option.

So, the “Nuke Mars!”

plan is pretty silly, especially if the end goal is to terraform the planet.

But is there a different way to terraform Mars so that humans could someday live on

it?

There absolutely is, and you wouldn’t even have to detonate a single bomb.

In order for Mars to be terraformed into a planet that humans could live on without spacesuits,

the global temperature needs to increase significantly.

The nuke Mars plan had the right idea of putting greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere, but

its method of execution was all wrong.

The first step should be to stop the loss of greenhouse gasses from solar storms and

high-energy particles from the sun.

When these phenomena interact with the Martian atmosphere, they can cause molecules such

as CO2 and H2O to be ejected into space.

In order to stop this from happening, a former NASA scientist has an idea.

Jim Green has developed a plan to block the sun’s harmful effects on Mars’ atmosphere.

Green has proposed that humans could launch a series of spacecraft to set up a magnetic

shield between Mars and the sun.

The shield would act kind of like a clear umbrella that blocks harmful radiation while

allowing certain wavelengths of light to reach the Red Planet.

The shield itself would not block all of the sun’s light but instead, protect Mars in

a similar way to how Earth’s magnetic field protects our planet.

This would prevent molecules in Mars’ atmosphere from being ejected into the depths of space

and allow them to build up over time.

By reducing the number of greenhouse gasses lost in this way, the Martian atmosphere would

become thicker and cause the planet to warm up.

This would allow Mars to begin the terraforming process without any human intervention on

the planet itself.

It would be an incredibly slow process and would not result in a habitable Mars, but

it would definitely be a step in the right direction and one that humans need to consider

if we are going to live on the planet.

The trickiest part of the whole thing is putting the shield in the right place.

Precise calculations would need to be made to ensure that the magnetic shield follows

the orbit of Mars and keeps it protected.

If the magnetic shield deviated from its course by even a few millimeters, Mars would no longer

be in its shadow, and the sun’s radiation would stip particles from the atmosphere once

again.

Right now we have the technology to start planning for the magnetic shield, but calculations

and contingency plans need to be put in place before a successful mission can be launched.

The protective shield will not get the job done all on its own.

We still need to find a way to put more greenhouse gasses into the Martian atmosphere.

Although there isn’t enough CO2 in the surface rocks of Mars, there might be enough deeper

within the planet.

This means that nuking the surface would release a small amount of greenhouse gasses into the

atmosphere, but to successfully terraform Mars, we’d need to go deeper.

Minerals located further underground could contain more CO2 than the surface and, therefore,

might be the location where we find the greenhouse gasses we need to make Mars hospitable for

humans.

The problem with this plan is that the entire surface of Mars would need to be mined first.

It would be a drilling operation on a massive scale.

We currently don’t have the technology to do this; however, in the future, you can imagine

a humongous fleet of autonomous robots that are sent to Mars to continuously harvest and

vaporize rocks to release their stored carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

It is estimated that by mining the surface of the entire planet down to a depth of 100

yards, we might be able to release enough greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere to increase

the temperature of the planet.

However, we don’t actually know if there is enough CO2 contained within the buried

Martian rocks and minerals to create the desired effect, even if the whole planet is strip-mined.

We are working with our best estimates, but until we put boots on the ground and learn

more about the Red Planet, this scenario is only based on what little data we have available.

The other problem with the harvesting method is that it would require a massive amount

of energy in order to vaporize the number of rocks and minerals needed to terraform

the planet.

Even if we detonated all the nukes we currently have on Mars, it wouldn’t be enough.

Scientists think the only way to generate adequate constant energy is by using a source

of fusion power similar to the sun.

However, we do not have the technology to create a fusion reaction yet, which means

we have a lot of work to do before we can vaporize the surface of Mars.

Theoretically, if humans develop a machine capable of generating a fusion reaction and

could put a magnetic shield between Mars and the sun, terraforming could begin.

There is a concern that a lot of the planet would need to be destroyed just to increase

its temperature, but it may be necessary if we are ever going to live on the Red Planet.

There are a few other methods that humans could use to change the climate of the planet.

Unfortunately, we still need to develop the technology to carry out this next terraforming

method successfully, and even then, it will be incredibly destructive.

Another way we might change the atmospheric composition of Mars and turn it into a livable

planet could be by bombarding it with asteroids.

All the nukes in the world aren’t as powerful as slamming a giant asteroid into the Red

Planet.

But asteroids come with another benefit besides just packing an enormous punch that can vaporize

the Martian surface.

Some scientists believe that by capturing a large asteroid full of ice and ammonia,

we can deliver the energy needed to release water and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere

while simultaneously adding more greenhouse gasses to the planet.

The ice trapped within the asteroid would evaporate into the Martian atmosphere after

impact, and the ammonia also serves as its own greenhouse gas.

Between the energy released on impact that will convert the Martian surface into usable

greenhouse gasses as well as the water and ammonia contained within the asteroid, the

terraforming process could be sped up dramatically.

There are definitely some logistical issues with this plan, such as how to harvest asteroids

from the asteroid belt, but the technology to nudge space rocks in the direction of Mars

is something we have right now.

By landing a craft on the surface of an asteroid and using its thrusters to push the asteroid

one way or another, scientists could aim it at Mars.

The tricky part will be finding asteroids with the right composition, and it would be

nice if they were in the general vicinity of Mars.

Using asteroids to terraform Mars will take time.

Missions will need to be carried out to identify the composition of the candidates, and then

moving a 10 billion ton asteroid will not be easy.

However, once it is set on the right trajectory, its momentum will carry the space rock straight

through Mars’ atmosphere and slam it into the planet.

This will generate around 130 million megawatts of power.

The impact alone is calculated to raise the temperature of the planet by around 35 degrees

Fahrenheit.

This change in temperature would likely result in some of the ice caps on Mars melting, which

means the asteroid would not need to be directly aimed at the poles to cause the Martian water

to evaporate into the atmosphere.

Unfortunately, just one 10 billion ton asteroid wouldn’t be enough to terraform the planet.

Over the course of decades, Mars would need to be bombarded with asteroid after asteroid.

With each impact, more greenhouse gasses would be added to the atmosphere, but in order to

reach levels that would raise the temperature enough to sustain life, there would need to

be dozens of impacts.

With each asteroid strike, the planet would undergo a period of warming followed by a

period of cooling until all of the surface particles that were ejected into the atmosphere

settled back onto the Martian surface.

This means using asteroids to terraform Mars could work, but it would take centuries to

accomplish.

Perhaps the easiest way to terraform Mars is by doing what we are doing to our own planet.

By setting up factories and burning fuels that release CO2 and other greenhouse gasses

into the air, we could create climate change on Mars.

This would not be a cost-effective method to terraform the planet as a lot of materials

and resources would need to be brought from Earth, but it could theoretically work.

We would have to launch countless missions with supplies and colonists to build settlements

and factories on the surface of Mars.

The terraforming communities would need to live in biodomes and artificial habitats for

centuries until the terraforming process could be completed.

But given enough time and resources, we could create greenhouse gas factories on the surface

of Mars.

As of right now, we don’t know all of the fuel sources or natural resources available

on Mars, so early expeditions would need to gather intel for the colonization of the Red

Planet.

Once we knew exactly what was available, we could supplement it with materials from Earth

or harvested from asteroids.

The colonists could set up giant factories where they burn Martian rocks and heavy metals.

They could also run air conditioning machines that produce chlorofluorocarbons.

Chlorofluorocarbons are gasses that destroy ozone here on earth and were molecules generated

through the use of appliances such as old air conditioners and refrigerators.

Scientists eventually discovered how damaging they were to the atmosphere, and now chlorofluorocarbons

are banned in most countries.

But they would be incredibly useful as greenhouse gasses on Mars.

By burning certain substances, releasing chlorofluorocarbons, and melting the icecaps of Mars, the colonists

could slowly change the atmosphere without nuking the planet or slamming countless asteroids

into it.

Obviously, one of the main issues with this plan is that a colony would need to be set

up first, which would require tons of resources and take a very long time.

But in the end, humans would have a new planet to live on, so it may all be worth it.

There may also be a way to increase temperatures on Mars from space.

This does not negate the fact that greenhouse gasses still need to be increased, but some

scientists think that by using a giant mirror, the Martian surface could be warmed up considerably.

The craziest part of this plan is that the mirror would need to be very, very large.

In fact, the mirror would have to be able to shine light on one entire side of the planet.

It is important that the mirror intensifies the sunlight across the entire surface because

if it is only focused on one area, the greenhouse gasses generated from the warming rocks wouldn’t

be enough to create global temperature change.

The more surface that is being hit by the reflected sunlight, the more evenly distributed

the temperature rise will be.

This will also cause the melting of the ice caps and the release of carbon dioxide trapped

within the Martian rocks.

But like with the nuking plan, the mirror itself will not be enough since there just

aren’t enough greenhouse gasses on the surface of the Red Planet.

So, the best terraforming solution for Mars is probably a combination of all of the strategies

mentioned.

Maybe we detonate nukes at the poles to get things started.

This would be followed by a greenhouse-gas-rich asteroid slamming into the planet.

Finally, a giant mirror would continuously bombard Mars with intense light.

Then after decades of waiting for things to settle, we could send an army of spaceships

filled with colonists and engineers to build factories to make chlorofluorocarbons and

release carbon dioxide.

There are also other problems that will need solving even after we raise the temperature

of the planet.

Once we get the greenhouse gasses to the right levels and Mars reaches a habitable climate,

we will need to put oxygen into the atmosphere for us to breathe.

Oxygen is not a greenhouse gas, but it is definitely something we will need in order

to survive on the newly terraformed Mars.

The best way to generate enough oxygen to sustain life on Mars is to grow plants across

the planet.

Unfortunately, plants take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere to conduct photosynthesis,

which then releases oxygen back into the air.

This would be slightly counterproductive as humanity just spent decades or even centuries

trying to build up the amount of greenhouse gasses on Mars.

A solution to this might be that when increasing greenhouse gasses on Mars, we slightly overshoot

the number needed so that there is enough for the plants to use while also maintaining

a warm climate.

However, growing plants on Mars is easier said than done.

The Martian soil is devoid of all nutrients, which means we will need to find a way to

fertilize the entire planet.

Once we are able to create dirt where pioneering species like lichen, fungi, and bacteria can

thrive, they will convert rocks and sand into usable soil like here on Earth.

Think of it kind of like plants colonizing a new island that’s formed in the middle

of the ocean, except instead of an island, it’s an entire planet, and instead of an

ocean, it’s the vastness of space.

We may have to do some genetic engineering to give these pioneering species the ability

to thrive on Mars at first, but by the time we are at that step in the terraforming process,

who knows what kind of crazy technology we’ll have available to us.

With all the talk of nuking, harvesting resources, and changing the atmosphere of Mars comes

an ethical question.

Do we even have the right to modify an entire planet to suit our needs?

On the one hand, there are no living things on Mars as far as we know.

If we were to discover that there was microbial life, or Martians living below the surface

of the planet, that would change everything, or at least it should.

NASA has gone to great lengths to ensure anything that has landed on the Red Planet is thoroughly

sterilized and doesn’t carry with it microbes from Earth.

Certain bacterias and other extremophiles can survive in the most hostile conditions,

and it is not out of the realm of possibility that, with the right adaptations, they could

find a way to thrive on Mars.

But if there are already microbes living on the planet that have yet to be discovered,

would it still be okay for us to change their environment?

Even if there are no living things on Mars, should the humans of Earth bombard one of

our planetary neighbors with nuclear bombs and asteroids?

These are questions to take into consideration when planning to terraform an entire planet.

With the way things are going on Earth right now, we might not have a choice.

Between over-consumption of resources and the amount of damage we are doing to the environment,

sending humans to another planet might be an inevitability.

There is also the argument of putting all your eggs in one basket.

If anything were to happen to Earth, like a gamma-ray burst blowing our atmosphere into

space or a giant asteroid impact decimating all life on the planet, the human species

would go extinct.

For right now, we have no backup plan for our species.

Therefore, it could be argued that terraforming Mars isn’t just a good idea but necessary

for the continuation of the human race.

What it comes down to is that we do not have the technology to do this quite yet.

And just to reiterate our initial point: nuking Mars will not allow us to terraform it, so

we should probably throw that idea out the window.

No matter what Elon Musk or any other futurist says, terraforming Mars is just not possible

with today’s technology.

If and when we do finally have the ability to terraform a planet, it will likely be done

using a combination of different techniques discussed in this video.

We will probably need a magnetic shield, a giant mirror, and a way to pump greenhouse

gasses into the atmosphere.

Asteroids and the resources they constrain will be incredibly important not just for

terraforming Mars but for the future of space exploration in general.

The only way any of these dreams will become a reality is if we listen to science and continue

shooting for the stars, both figuratively and literally.

Space exploration has slowed considerably since the Apollo missions that first landed

humans on the moon.

If nothing else, Elon Musk and other private space companies have reinvigorated our interest

in space travel.

However, we will need to continue to fund scientific missions and technological research

if we are ever going to successfully terraform Mars.

Now watch “The Real Problem with Living on Mars.”

Or check out “What Would Happen If We Detonate a Nuke in Space?.”