Stage 1: Heating the planet
Observations imply that conditions on Mars were formerly much warmer and that its atmosphere was somewhat more sizeable. Unfortunately, the relatively low gravity (approx. 0.38 time that of Earth) and soil conditions caused the water and atmosphere to either be absorbed into the soil / escape from Mars. Current conditions on Mars are far from hospitable. Approximately 1.5 times farther from the sun than the Earth, Mars receives only about 43% of the sunlight Earth receives. Its atmosphere is very thin- only 0.8% as thick as Earth's atmosphere- and is composed mainly of carbon dioxide (approx. 95%). The result is a mean temperature of -59 degrees Celcius, inhospitable to even the hardiest of lifeforms.
Some countries have acknowledged the threat of the sixth mass extinction and have set plans in motion to create a refuge for humankind. You are one of the first 100 people sent to Mars on a mission that is vital to ensure the survival of the human race. You have been awaiting orders after establishing a temporary colony on the hollowed out asteroid-moon Phobos. The United Nations Organisation Mars Authority (UNOMA) has just given the green light to begin terraforming operations on the planetary surface. You have a variety of tools at your disposal. These include:
- A drilling apparatus that is capable of drilling deep into the martian rock
- A mobile plant that can manufacture chlorofluorocarbons- CFC's- from Martian materials
How can you put these resources to use in order to raise the surface temperature on Mars to a range that could make it hospitable to humans?
Consider the following questions:
- What are some of the more common greenhouse gases?
- What is the greenhouse effect and how does it work on Earth?
- What are CFC's and what is their relevance to global warming?
- What would be the main result of the introduction of greenhouse gases into the Martian atmosphere?
- What would happen to the carbon dioxide that is frozen in the polar caps and Martian soil as temperatures increase? What result would this have on global warming on Mars? What do we call this sort of cycle?
- As Mars continues to warm, what may happen to the water that is frozen on Mars? What are some of the consequences of this?
- CFC's are destroyed by ultraviolet (UV) light. How could you overcome this potential problem?
Outline your plan for how you will accomplish your goal of raising the surface temperature of Mars to a range that is habitable by humans. You should support each step with scientific evidence of why your chosen methods will work. Use the attached file to document your progress.
There is also a forum at the bottom of this page. Should you make any major breakthroughs with your work be sure to post it in the forum for others to see. Also, should you have any problems post these on the forum and hopefully one of your classmates can help you out. If not, Mr Fraser will get on to it. Mr Fraser will also be monitoring this forum so make sure that all posts are relevant and helpful. Any inappropriate comments will be removed and consequences will be enforced.
Some countries have acknowledged the threat of the sixth mass extinction and have set plans in motion to create a refuge for humankind. You are one of the first 100 people sent to Mars on a mission that is vital to ensure the survival of the human race. You have been awaiting orders after establishing a temporary colony on the hollowed out asteroid-moon Phobos. The United Nations Organisation Mars Authority (UNOMA) has just given the green light to begin terraforming operations on the planetary surface. You have a variety of tools at your disposal. These include:
- A drilling apparatus that is capable of drilling deep into the martian rock
- A mobile plant that can manufacture chlorofluorocarbons- CFC's- from Martian materials
How can you put these resources to use in order to raise the surface temperature on Mars to a range that could make it hospitable to humans?
Consider the following questions:
- What are some of the more common greenhouse gases?
- What is the greenhouse effect and how does it work on Earth?
- What are CFC's and what is their relevance to global warming?
- What would be the main result of the introduction of greenhouse gases into the Martian atmosphere?
- What would happen to the carbon dioxide that is frozen in the polar caps and Martian soil as temperatures increase? What result would this have on global warming on Mars? What do we call this sort of cycle?
- As Mars continues to warm, what may happen to the water that is frozen on Mars? What are some of the consequences of this?
- CFC's are destroyed by ultraviolet (UV) light. How could you overcome this potential problem?
Outline your plan for how you will accomplish your goal of raising the surface temperature of Mars to a range that is habitable by humans. You should support each step with scientific evidence of why your chosen methods will work. Use the attached file to document your progress.
There is also a forum at the bottom of this page. Should you make any major breakthroughs with your work be sure to post it in the forum for others to see. Also, should you have any problems post these on the forum and hopefully one of your classmates can help you out. If not, Mr Fraser will get on to it. Mr Fraser will also be monitoring this forum so make sure that all posts are relevant and helpful. Any inappropriate comments will be removed and consequences will be enforced.
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mars_log_1.docx | |
File Size: | 23 kb |
File Type: | docx |