Thursday, 12 October 2023 | 18:46 WIB
Ani Nur Iqrimah / TCE
Jakarta, Beritasatu.com – Mars is known as one of Earth’s closest planetary neighbors in the solar system, with an average distance of 140 million miles (225 million km). The shape of Mars, which is similar to Earth, is said to be inhabitable by humans and living creatures.
Several research and exploration missions have helped humans understand more about the red planet. As time goes by, the idea of inhabiting Mars becomes more and more attractive. Reported from various sources, here are the reasons why the planet Mars is suitable for human habitation.
Reasons why the planet Mars is suitable for human habitation
Mars Has Oxygen
Mars apparently has an atmosphere that contains oxygen. Although Mars’ atmosphere is much thinner, about 100 times thinner than Earth’s, the environment is less hospitable, but oxygen is present there.
The Martian atmosphere is composed of 96% carbon dioxide, which makes it impossible for humans to breathe directly. Interestingly, there is an oxygen content of around 0.13% in the Martian atmosphere.
For comparison, the amount of oxygen on Earth reaches 21%. Although small, this number is still interesting when compared to the total absence of oxygen in space.
On February 18 2021, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration or NASA, successfully landed a rover perseverance which carries a small machine called the Mars Oxygen In-Situ Resource Utilization Experiment (MOXIE), which is designed to make oxygen from carbon dioxide on Mars.
MOXIE successfully produces up to 10 grams of oxygen per hour, and is a potential hope for future life research on Mars.
Temperature
Mars is far from the Sun, so Mars has a cold temperature. The thin atmosphere also makes the temperature colder because it cannot store heat well.
However, there is an interesting fact that you may have missed, namely that Mars is similar to a desert on Earth. Temperatures on Mars vary widely and can get very cold, especially at night.
Mars can even reach temperatures well below zero degrees Fahrenheit, on average around -85 degrees Fahrenheit or -65 degrees Celsius. During summer and when Mars is near the equator, temperatures can reach 20 degrees Celsius.
This temperature indicates that Mars is warmer and quite capable of maintaining water in liquid form. When humans can create suitable conditions, Mars can actually become a livable and comfortable place to live.
Potential of Microbial Life
Apart from the reasons above, one of the main reasons Mars is habitable is the possibility of microbial life that may exist there.
Several recent discoveries indicate the presence of water beneath the surface of Mars, which is a key factor in supporting life like that on Earth.
Microbes on Earth have been found to live in extreme conditions, and conditions beneath the Martian surface could provide a relatively stable environment for microbes to thrive.
Apart from that, scientists also found signs of methane gas on the planet Mars, a gas that may have been produced by primitive life. Samples have been collected to further investigate the situation, but will likely not be analyzed for another decade or so.
Plants Can Grow on Mars
Growing plants on Mars may sound impossible. However, this turns out to be not as difficult as you think. Although there are many problems that must be overcome, scientists who have carried out tests and research on planting on Mars seem to have produced positive results.
The first crop of alfalfa that has been planted on Mars has successfully grown. Alfalfa is a plant that usually grows on Earth, apparently it is able to grow in Martian soil which is similar to volcanic soil.
Although this crop cannot be consumed, alfalfa will be key to making sustainable fertilizers that help other plants grow and convert carbon dioxide into oxygen.
Available Natural Resources
Mars also has natural resources that can support human settlements. Several research and exploration missions have revealed the presence of ice at the Martian poles and beneath the surface of the red planet.
This ice can be converted into drinking water and oxygen, which are essential elements for human life. Mars is also claimed to have valuable mineral reserves, such as iron, copper and aluminum which can be used to build residential infrastructure.
Potential of Solar Energy for Electricity
Even though Mars is farther from the Sun than Earth, this planet still has the potential for abundant solar energy.
By using efficient solar panels, humans can rely on that resource to meet electricity needs on Mars. Solar panels are an efficient and environmentally friendly tool for generating electricity from solar energy.
Humans Could Live on Mars
Reporting from Live ScienceAccording to University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney lecturer, Serkan Saydam, there is a possibility that humans could live and inhabit the planet Mars in the next few decades.
The Deputy Director of the Australian Center for Space Engineering Research also believes that the key for humans to be able to live and live on Mars for the long term is water. With water, humans can use it to grow plants for food on Mars.
Water on the red planet can be obtained by extracting ice and/or minerals. Hydrogen from ice and minerals can be used as an energy source for rocket fuel.
2023-10-12 11:46:06
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