Nicole BuchmanNicole Buchman

Some Facts about MarsSome Facts about Mars

The actual date of the discovery of Mars is The actual date of the discovery of Mars is unknown. unknown.

Records go back as far as ancient Greek. Records go back as far as ancient Greek. Although Mars is smaller, it has roughly Although Mars is smaller, it has roughly

the same land mass of Earth.the same land mass of Earth.Mars was much like Earth in its early Mars was much like Earth in its early

years.years.Mars is currently uninhabitable. Mars is currently uninhabitable.

How have we learned of Mars?How have we learned of Mars?

There are many There are many satellites that have satellites that have visited Mars.visited Mars.

Mariner 4

Mars Pathfinder

OpportunityRover

Spirit Rover

Viking

Mars 2

Satellites

How Could We Live on Mars?How Could We Live on Mars?

There are two main theories of There are two main theories of colonization.colonization.

Build self-sustaining biospheres.Build self-sustaining biospheres.Biosphere 2Biosphere 2

Terraform Mars.Terraform Mars.Both will take lots of time and money.Both will take lots of time and money.

Biosphere 2Biosphere 2

Experiment in colonization conducted on Experiment in colonization conducted on Earth.Earth.

Self-sustaining enclosed community.Self-sustaining enclosed community.Six participants stayed inside for two Six participants stayed inside for two

years.years.Biosphere failed twice, but much was Biosphere failed twice, but much was

learned from its failure. learned from its failure.

TerraformingTerraforming

Transforming a planet into a habitable Transforming a planet into a habitable world.world.

These changes would kill any native life.These changes would kill any native life.Since Mars has no known life, this would Since Mars has no known life, this would

not be a problem.not be a problem.Mars was once like Earth, therefore Mars was once like Earth, therefore

scientists believe it would be the easiest of scientists believe it would be the easiest of the nine planets. the nine planets.

Terraforming: Good or Bad?Terraforming: Good or Bad?

Scientists who are pro-terrafroming are Scientists who are pro-terrafroming are members of the Green Camp.members of the Green Camp.

Those opposing terraformation are Those opposing terraformation are members of the Red Camp.members of the Red Camp.

The Green Camp believes that Humans The Green Camp believes that Humans have the responsibility of spreading life have the responsibility of spreading life through the solar system.through the solar system.

Reds believe that we should keep Mars’ Reds believe that we should keep Mars’ surface the same in order to study it.surface the same in order to study it.

Percent of Gases in AtmospherePercent of Gases in Atmosphere

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Nitrogen Oxygen CarbonDioxide

Argon

Mars

Earth

Extra InformationExtra InformationYou can use these links to find information for you paper.

• Astronomy Picture of the Day

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/

• Astrobiology: The Living Universe

http://www.ibiblio.org/astrobiology/index.php?page=mars01

• Mars

http://www.nineplanets.org/mars.html