Human beings could transform Mars into a habitable planet, it was claimed yesterday. Using a method inspired by global warming, NASA scientists believe that they can turn Mars into a world with characteristics like Earth. They have said they can "terraform" the apparently barren planet by injecting powerful greenhouse gases into the cold Martian atmosphere. The gases would, over time, melt the Martian ice caps and thicken the atmosphere enough to make the planet similar to Earth. The team of NASA scientists from the Ames Research Centre, led by Dr Margarita Marinova, say the method is "entirely practical". They have found a way of triggering a runaway greenhouse effect using gases nearly 10,000 times more effective than carbon dioxide at holding in heat. The gases that the scientists have focused on are fluorine-based and made up of elements that are readily available on Mars. During trials, it was discovered a compound called octafluoropropane, or C3F8, produced the greatest warming, which was enhanced further by combining it with several other gases. A computer model showed that adding about 300 parts per million of the gas mixture to the thin Martian atmosphere would spark a runaway greenhouse effect. This would be added to by the slow evaporation of frozen carbon dioxide. But the gases would need to be manufactured on Mars in manned missions to the planet as such large quantities could not feasibly be transported from Earth. Dr Marinova, who’s findings are published in the Journal of Geophysical Research - Planets, believes that the new research may even revive dormant life on Mars.

She said: "Bringing life to Mars and studying its growth would contribute to our understanding of evolution, and the ability of life to adapt and proliferate on other worlds. "Since warming Mars effectively reverts it to its past, more habitable state, this would give any possible dormant life on Mars the chance to be revived and develop further." The current Martian atmosphere is sparse, cold, dry and composed almost completely of carbon dioxide. It is an environment characterised by strong winds which can exceed 100mph, causing dust storms powerful enough to quickly erode surface structures.

View: Full Article | Source: Scotsman

I would think they would spend more time on saving our own atmosphere rather than worrying about Mars. (Makes me wonder of this little plan could save our planet instead of revitalizing Mars.)

However--it would still be cool!

I think scientist have a lot more study of Mars as it is before thinking of Tera-forming. Mar has less mass than Earth, Its core make up is still unknown. We also need information on the Geo-magnetic Field to see if it affords enough protection from solar radiation.
Until these and other factors are analyzed and projected this article is a "Pipe Dream" only. And I know whats in the Pipe!

Very good point. You'd make a good scientist.

Thats not what my Wife says I'am good for, but she's been mean lately!

Last 26 years!

Pure hilarity.

One day we may be able to and will give it a shot but it wont until the very distant future, the money and resources required would be unbelievably immense and the science is mindboggling!

We could probably geneticly engineer ourself to be compatible with Mars while we terraform the planet for Un-engineered humans.

That could potentially be one scenario

this is a great idea

though i wonder what would be a projected time-line for changes ? i really have no idea here anyone have any insight ? i mean do we change the atmosphere then how many years later do we expect to see plants frowing or something ? is it something where we could see significant growth and change in a persons lifetime ?

not in a un-enhanced human life time. noway

Space exploration is really relying on Life extension also. There are prizes like the Xprize for it

I don't know about you but this sounds too much like total recall for me. i mean it's a great idea and al, but i agree, we shoiuld be spending more time on our own planet's atmosphere thanb the great red planet.

I have heard a silly conspiracy over the radio that some of the governments of the world know that the world is going to end soon, but are keeping it a secret. All the recent probes were launched to Mars because they are getting interested in fleeing to Mars to continue their corrupt lifestyles their after their corrupt lifestyles have contributed to the destruction and desolation of Earth.

I really doubt it though...

^LMAO, that is indeed hiliarious and totally unbelievable, it would be impossible to hide the preperations for a mission to mars especially if its for a permanent stay, and how exactly would they survive there anyway!?

It will still be quiet awhile before man steps foot onto Mars, but lets hoepe its not too far into the future!

As much as our own atmosphere needs some extra attention before we bother with mars....i still think it would be great to have the red planet capable of sustaining life incase things do get to wild here..wreck one planet...move onto the next



Go Humans

we have to get on this planet as soon as possible. We have nothing protecting us from them big rock out there except Jupiter... And Jupiter isnt going to save us from them forever.

my second home
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v141/who...ineris_1024.jpg

Ok, lets send all the politicians and lawyers to Mars and when they are gone we can clean up the mess here.

Kind of like cleaning up after a beer party!

As for the Big Rock hitting us, the last one that came close we the people were not told about until after it passed. The powers that be didn't want to scare us.
YA! Right!

I remember 1 a year or 2 ago, We only found out about it around 2-3 days after it had passed. They said they didnt know about it... probably didnnt know about it, but if they did and said it was coming close to earth, space people woulda probably killed themselves and say it was space aliens coming for us or some crap lol..

Im sure people have killed themselves because of something like that, forget the name of their little thing