Scientists lay out revolutionary method to warm Mars

[Grim Reaper 6]

In a groundbreaking study published Aug. 7 in Science Advances, researchers from the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and the University of Central Florida have proposed a revolutionary approach towards terraforming Mars. This new method, using engineered dust particles released to the atmosphere, could potentially warm the Red Planet by more than 50 degrees Fahrenheit, to temperatures suitable for microbial life -- a crucial first step towards making Mars habitable..

The proposed method is over 5,000 times more efficient than previous schemes to globally warm Mars, representing a significant leap forward in our ability to modify the Martian environment..

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240807225455.htm

[Opus Magnus]

I wondered about this and thought if dust was kicked up on Mars that it would start to reform an atmosphere.  According to the article I was almost right, except the dust on Mars contains elements that would reflect more sunlight than it traps in and cause global cooling.

[Grim Reaper 6]

40 minutes ago, Opus Magnus said:

I wondered about this and thought if dust was kicked up on Mars that it would start to reform an atmosphere.  According to the article I was almost right, except the dust on Mars contains elements that would reflect more sunlight than it traps in and cause global cooling.

I disagree, the immediate effect would be global warming and if an atmosphere begins to form the process could be stopped to allow nature to take its course.

JIMHO

[Abramelin]

On 8/8/2024 at 9:49 PM, Grim Reaper 6 said:

I disagree, the immediate effect would be global warming and if an atmosphere begins to form the process could be stopped to allow nature to take its course.

JIMHO

This is from the article you posted:

We know from rovers like Curiosity that dust on Mars is rich in iron and aluminum. By themselves, those dust particles aren't suitable to warm the planet; their size and composition mean they tend to cool the surface slightly rather than warm it. But if we engineered dust particles that had different shapes or compositions, the researchers hypothesized, perhaps they could trap heat more efficiently.

So Opus Magnus was right.

[Grim Reaper 6]

4 minutes ago, Abramelin said:

This is from the article you posted:

We know from rovers like Curiosity that dust on Mars is rich in iron and aluminum. By themselves, those dust particles aren't suitable to warm the planet; their size and composition mean they tend to cool the surface slightly rather than warm it. But if we engineered dust particles that had different shapes or compositions, the researchers hypothesized, perhaps they could trap heat more efficiently.

So Opus Magnus was right.

No he actually was not completely right the following is what my comments where based upon and this is also from the article I posted.

The researchers designed particles shaped like short rods -- similar in size to commercially available glitter. These particles are designed to trap escaping heat and scatter sunlight towards the surface, enhancing Mars' natural greenhouse effect.

Calculations indicate that if the particles were released into Mars' atmosphere continuously at 30 liters per second, the planet would warm by more than 50 degrees Fahrenheit -- and the effect could be noticeable within as soon as months. Similarly, the warming would be reversible, stopping within a few years if release was switched off.

[Opus Magnus]

Well, that's what I meant.  I was just quoting the article.  I am just guessing, but I have thought over the years if the soil on Mars were tilled, then gasses would be released that would replenish the atmosphere.  I still think travel to Venus is the right choice.  First we should make a Moon base.

[Opus Magnus]

On a side note, I also have thought of another question: You could be one of the first settlers on Mars but you had to be a slave and your children's children would be slaves indefinitely. Would you do it?

[Grim Reaper 6]

8 hours ago, Opus Magnus said:

Well, that's what I meant.  I was just quoting the article.  I am just guessing, but I have thought over the years if the soil on Mars were tilled, then gasses would be released that would replenish the atmosphere.  I still think travel to Venus is the right choice.  First we should make a Moon base.

I totally agree the Moon base should be the priority, and further space exploration should start there!

[Grim Reaper 6]

8 hours ago, Opus Magnus said:

On a side note, I also have thought of another question: You could be one of the first settlers on Mars but you had to be a slave and your children's children would be slaves indefinitely. Would you do it?

Hell no!