Now You Understand!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zWuFjlDBaE
Posted on 02/26/2013 9:02:24 AM PST by BenLurkin
A recently discovered comet will make an uncomfortably-close planetary flyby next year — but this time it’s not Earth that’s in the cosmic crosshairs.
According to preliminary orbital prediction models, comet C/2013 A1 will buzz Mars on Oct. 19, 2014.
According to calculations by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), close approach data suggests the comet is most likely to make a close pass of 0.0007 AU (that’s approximately 63,000 miles from the Martian surface). However, there’s one huge caveat.
Due to uncertainties in the observations — the comet has only been observed for 74 days (so far), so it’s difficult for astronomers to forecast the comet’s precise location in 20 months time — comet C/2013 A1 may fly past at a very safe distance of 0.008 AU (650,000 miles). But to the other extreme, its orbital pass could put Mars directly in its path. At time of Mars close approach (or impact), the comet will be barreling along at a breakneck speed of 35 miles per second
(Excerpt) Read more at news.discovery.com ...
I think we should be aiming water laden comets and asteroids at Mars to terraform it.
Specifically I think we should be trying to increase the mass of Mars so that it can better retain an atmosphere. It’ll need a bigger moon too, to help even out temperature fluctuations and add some internal heating from gravitational pull.
Some of the mirror and laser ideas that are being presented for asteroid deflection could probably work. We could send a swarm of mirrors out to deflect the astroid Apophis which could hit us in 2029 if we don’t. And then let these go on out to the asteroid belt and start deflecting asteroids towards mars.
I think it is officially out of local jurisdiction.
Nicely played.
Yes. I told you not to use your cannon against that space butterfly!
.
Good shot, by the way!
It isn't necessary to make every world a duplicate of Earth. Variety is the spice, they say.
The good news is that you don't need to increase the mass of Mars. It's a nice thought, but who wants to wait around for that?
If you supplemented Mars' atmosphere up to about Earth pressure, it would take about a million years for it to leak away again. That's the good news.
The bad news is that the best gas to use for the purpose is carbon dioxide. So you still wouldn't be able to go shirtsleeve without a breathing supply and mask.
Planet Venus offers a plentiful supply of carbon dioxide, free for the taking, and most folks think that removing it would improve that planet too. Take all you want. If it leaks away, go back for more.
For me, it's not so important that humans be able to breathe the atmosphere of Mars without assistance; but I'd like to get it so that plants would feel at home there.
Imagine the size of trees grown in Martian soil and gravity!
And don't worry about a bigger Mars moon. We'll orbit it with a Rotavator. That should be exciting to watch!
Odds are against my banked shot in the corner pocket by the way.
Playing billiards in space ismore difficult than I imagined.
/ bad joke.
It would be interesting to see what would happen should it plow into Mars.
You could start with carbon dioxide, seed the planet with plant life and let the plants convert the carbon dioxide.
But I don’t see how your going to get the carbon dioxide from venus to mars. Comets on the other hand can be gently nudged into trajectories that will colide with Mars.
As for venus, I say we engineer some life that can survive in the extreme conditions of Venus that will trap some of the sulfur. Turn it loose and see what happens.
Unless we can find some alkaline comets that we can crash into venus that will help trap sulfur.
Thanks BenLurkin. Looks like a good ‘extra, extra’ topic for APoD members.
This place is under a napalm strike order. Get your heart right and seek God almighty, or else.
Can we deflect it so that it hits Washington DC?
2×10¹º megatons
:)
Ya just want to worry people on a Saturday night, don't ya, LOL!
I think that “would leave a mark.”
500 km across and 2 km deep!
Doug Kershaw can still play assault fiddle like nobody’s business, lol.
Here’s an oldie from him, “Diggy Liggy Lo”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpulhD-5CyM
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