How would you create an atmosphere on Mars

Question

How would you create an atmosphere on Mars

Answer 1

Mars would be able to hold an atmosphere if it wasn't for the fact that Jupiter keeps sucking it up and the solar wind keeps knocking it away. you would have to add large amounts of gas over a long time frame. Each time you add gas alot of it will be stripped off but not all. Over time these small remains of gas will build up. At present, Mars has an atmosphere but it is very small.

Answer 2

It would be a waste of time. Mars isn't large enough to hold much of an atmosphere.  Venus is a far better candidate for terraforming.  Giant reflective sun screens could cool the planet.  Genetically engineered  bacteria could be placed in its atmosphere to break it down, release oxygen, and transform most of it to something resembling soil or fertilizer.  This could rain down on the surface and form a basis for soil.  This would probably take thousands of years.  I doubt if we will ever attempt such a thing.  

Answer 3

NASA are having a news conference today about new findings regarding Martian soil. Apparently, some Earth plants could live off the soil but would need a more familiar atmosphere than Mars'.  

Answer 4

I read one idea that has merit (I think it was in an old issue of Astronomy).  It involved genetically altered trees/plants that could survive in the martian atmosphere, and slowly convert the CO2 to O2.

The advantage of using plants, of course, is that they reproduce, so you can plant them with probes and let them do the work.

And, unless there's really advanced life on Mars, we should do this.

Answer 5

Mars can't support an atmosphere like Earth because:

1- With about half the size it doesn't have the gravity to hold on to it.

2- Mars doesn't have a magnetic field to shield itself from the Sun.

By the way, a similar situation applies to Venus.  Although about the same size as Earth, excessive volcanic activity has produced a toxic atmosphere.  The problem is compounded by the fact that Venus doesn't have a magnetic field either.  Venus day is about the same as its orbital period leaving the planet exposed to the Sun's radiation.

It is frustrating to sit alone in this system with no habitable planet to colonize.  Our history would've been much different otherwise!

Answer 6

OK, first things first, YouKillMe, will you go out with me? ...my kinda gal.

Second...I agree with the other answer, we should study, we should not modify.

Third, to answer your Q...it appears (<emphasis on APPEARS) that any "atmosphere" was just not held in place by the Martin gravity...you can't change gravity, so use a different atmosphere ...meaning, it's a problem for the chemist--find a breathable mix of gasses that have a molecular weight more than that of the atmosphere that got away.

Answer 7

I'd crank up the greenhouse process to the Max.  That might be done by introducing a microbe that converts sunlight into energy which it uses to release gases from stuff found in the ground.  The poles should melt, releasing carbon dioxide, which would help a bit too.  It might even release some water vapor.  And i'd want to introduce more water.  There's both oxygen and hydrogen on Mars.  But if i need to, i'd pull it in from somewhere else.  Saturn has alot of icy moons, for example.

But i'd fix the magnetic field first.  See my other answer.

Answer 8

I wouldn't. There is no need to create an atmosphere on Mars, and doing so might harm the life (if any) already present.

Answer 9

I was watching some video a while back on how scientists believed they would start terraforming planets so that it would become suitable for Humans to live on. It was proposed that such undertaking could cover a span of thousands of years, but that's using the notion "ceteris paribus" (all other things being equal) thus it does not take into account that technology will improve or certain catastrophes on Earth will stop Humans from continuing with Space missions.

There were three undertakings that scientists proposed could create an atmosphere on Mars:

> Large orbital mirrors on Mars could reflect the Sunlight and heat into the Martian atmosphere.

> There could be Green-house producing factories.

> This notion was the most echoed. It stated that ammonia-heavy asteroids could be smashed onto the planet like nuclear bombs so it will raise greenhouse levels.

If memory serves me correct, NASA is currently working on some sort of solar sail propulsion system, of which meaning that the mirrors would be used to take advantage of the Sun's heat to move Spacecraft's through Space.

The second notion is that, as it clearly states, Humans create factories on Mars to produce Greenhouse gases. The factories might have to be created out of the materials already located on Mars or be transported there in some sort.

Answer 10

I'd use genetically engineered bacteria to free up the oxygen in all that iron oxide, or perhaps nanotech.

Answer 11

That depends.  How big is my budget?  How fast does it need to be created?  What mix of gasses do you want?  Do I have to file an environmental impact statement?  Are you willing to accept the consequences of a major change in the atmosphere on Mars?  Will anyone be on the planet while the atmosphere is being created?  

There are a number of possible and theoretical means by which Mars could be given an atmosphere.  The main question you have to answer, before you can give it one, though, is "What did it do with the one that it used to have?"  That will affect the creation of a new one.

Answer 12

Mars already has an atmosphere.

Answer 13

My simple rule for life is "any excuse for a party."

I'd start with white wine and canapes.