Dune: we simulated the desert planet of Arrakis to see if humans could survive there

[Still Waters]

Dune, the epic series of sci-fi books by Frank Herbert, now turned into a movie of the same name, is set in the far future on the desert planet of Arrakis. Herbert outlined a richly detailed world that, at first glance, seems so real we could imagine ourselves within it.

However, if such a world did exist, what would it actually be like?

We are scientists with specific expertise in climate modelling, so we simulated the climate of Arrakis to find out. We wanted to know if the physics and environment of such a world would stack up against a real climate model.

Here's a visualization of our climate model of Arrakis:

https://theconversation.com/dune-we-simulated-the-desert-planet-of-arrakis-to-see-if-humans-could-survive-there-170181

[+joc]

1 hour ago, Still Waters said:

Dune, the epic series of sci-fi books by Frank Herbert, now turned into a movie of the same name, is set in the far future on the desert planet of Arrakis. Herbert outlined a richly detailed world that, at first glance, seems so real we could imagine ourselves within it.

However, if such a world did exist, what would it actually be like?

We are scientists with specific expertise in climate modelling, so we simulated the climate of Arrakis to find out. We wanted to know if the physics and environment of such a world would stack up against a real climate model.

Here's a visualization of our climate model of Arrakis:

https://theconversation.com/dune-we-simulated-the-desert-planet-of-arrakis-to-see-if-humans-could-survive-there-170181

The main reason, besides 'stillsuits' that the inhabitants of Dune could survive was because of the spice!  It's also how The Worms survived. Ever think about that?  How could the worms survive with no water?  The spice!

[Jon the frog]

Wtf can you eat in that kind of world... subterranean yeast plant that recycle their s**t and p** ?

[XenoFish]

2 minutes ago, joc said:

The main reason, besides 'stillsuits' that the inhabitants of Dune could survive was because of the spice!  It's also how The Worms survived. Ever think about that?  How could the worms survive with no water?  The spice!

They also had water catchment systems and dehydrated their dead. Everything was geared towards water conservation. 

[XenoFish]

1 minute ago, Jon the frog said:

Wtf can you eat in that kind of world... subterranean yeast plant that recycle their s**t and p** ?

https://dune.fandom.com/wiki/Arrakis

[+and-then]

I thought Dubai or one of its neighbors would have served for the test.

[Jon the frog]

57 minutes ago, XenoFish said:

https://dune.fandom.com/wiki/Arrakis

They have some ecosystem smaller than giant worms... nice. Forgetten about it, read the first two like 30 years or so...

Edited October 27, 2021 by Jon the frog

[+Hammerclaw]

What's never explained is how such an unearth-like planet has and somehow maintains, such an Earth-like atmosphere to begin with.