Mars - Why would it be a better place to colonise comared to the Moon?

[Denn Forever]

Recently the subject of colonising Mars has been talked about more (OK Discovery programs).  What intrinsic properties does Mars have that the Moon hasn't?  Is it the presence of water?  How long would it take to get to Mars?  Surely the Moon would be a better option.  Closer to Earth, easier to re stock.

[laoislad]

The further away from Armagh the better?

[J70]

Interesting question. Are there not outfits trying to do each?

I think once there, the frozen water and CO2 atmosphere which could be harnessed to produce oxygen makes water and breathable air easier to produce on Mars.

No clue as to the overall, relative ease of each. Maybe Mars is easier, technically, while the moon is, obviously, much more accessible.

[Hardy]

Interesting question. Are there not outfits trying to do each?

I think once there, the frozen water and CO2 atmosphere which could be harnessed to produce oxygen makes water and breathable air easier to produce on Mars.

No clue as to the overall, relative ease of each. Maybe Mars is easier, technically, while the moon is, obviously, much more accessible.

You're just a bullshitter trying to look liberal and pretend gay astronauts are normal. But what happens if your son comes home and tells you he wants to be the first transsexual astronaut? Hah? See? Now! QED.

[J70]

Interesting question. Are there not outfits trying to do each?

I think once there, the frozen water and CO2 atmosphere which could be harnessed to produce oxygen makes water and breathable air easier to produce on Mars.

No clue as to the overall, relative ease of each. Maybe Mars is easier, technically, while the moon is, obviously, much more accessible.

You're just a bullshitter trying to look liberal and pretend gay astronauts are normal. But what happens if your son comes home and tells you he wants to be the first transsexual astronaut? Hah? See? Now! QED.

[No wides]

Interesting question. Are there not outfits trying to do each?

I think once there, the frozen water and CO2 atmosphere which could be harnessed to produce oxygen makes water and breathable air easier to produce on Mars.

No clue as to the overall, relative ease of each. Maybe Mars is easier, technically, while the moon is, obviously, much more accessible.

You're just a bullshitter trying to look liberal and pretend gay astronauts are normal. But what happens if your son comes home and tells you he wants to be the first transsexual astronaut? Hah? See? Now! QED.

Will the gaffer tape hold in space?

[Syferus]

Recently the subject of colonising Mars has been talked about more (OK Discovery programs).  What intrinsic properties does Mars have that the Moon hasn't?  Is it the presence of water?  How long would it take to get to Mars?  Surely the Moon would be a better option.  Closer to Earth, easier to re stock.

Mars still has a bit of an atmosphere, the Moon has none. Helps with not being microwaved by cosmic waves. You'll need shielding on either, though. Also gravity on the Moon is 1/6 of Earth's - that would be very bad for someone's bone density and body in general if they grew up on the Moon. Mars' gravity is roughly 40% of Earth's, which is more manageable.

The Moon is tidally locked to Earth and hence its days are completely out of whack - either side stays in sunlight for two week, followed by two weeks of darkness. So a day on the moon is 28 ish Earth days. A Mars day is only 24 hours and 40 minutes long - much more compatible for humans.

If we don't destroy ourselves we should eventually colonize both the Moon and Mars, but Mars has the potential to support more people and more purposes than the Moon does.

[muppet]

Interesting question. Are there not outfits trying to do each?

I think once there, the frozen water and CO2 atmosphere which could be harnessed to produce oxygen makes water and breathable air easier to produce on Mars.

No clue as to the overall, relative ease of each. Maybe Mars is easier, technically, while the moon is, obviously, much more accessible.

You're just a bullshitter trying to look liberal and pretend gay astronauts are normal. But what happens if your son comes home and tells you he wants to be the first transsexual astronaut? Hah? See? Now! QED.

[seafoid]

Mars has better bars
The moon has moonies and lunatics

[thejuice]

Will Mars compete in Leinster?

Also I think it would be a long way to go for a league match. What's a wet weekend on Mars like? Would it be as bad as the Hyde?

[ONeill]

Our organs will take centuries to adjust.

[thejuice]

I'm assuming this is an Irish mission to colonise Mars. I doubt anyone else would be interested that type of thing.

[armaghniac]

I'm assuming this is an Irish mission to colonise Mars. I doubt anyone else would be interested that type of thing.

The British went to some trouble to colonise Tyrone, so you wouldn't know.

[thejuice]

I'm assuming this is an Irish mission to colonise Mars. I doubt anyone else would be interested that type of thing.

The British went to some trouble to colonise Tyrone, so you wouldn't know.

Any sign of life?

[Eamonnca1]

Recently the subject of colonising Mars has been talked about more (OK Discovery programs).  What intrinsic properties does Mars have that the Moon hasn't?  Is it the presence of water?  How long would it take to get to Mars?  Surely the Moon would be a better option.  Closer to Earth, easier to re stock.

Mars still has a bit of an atmosphere, the Moon has none. Helps with not being microwaved by cosmic waves. You'll need shielding on either, though. Also gravity on the Moon is 1/6 of Earth's - that would be very bad for someone's bone density and body in general if they grew up on the Moon. Mars' gravity is roughly 40% of Earth's, which is more manageable.

The Moon is tidally locked to Earth and hence its days are completely out of whack - either side stays in sunlight for two week, followed by two weeks of darkness. So a day on the moon is 28 ish Earth days. A Mars day is only 24 hours and 40 minutes long - much more compatible for humans.

If we don't destroy ourselves we should eventually colonize both the Moon and Mars, but Mars has the potential to support more people and more purposes than the Moon does.

Micrometeorites are a bit of an occupational hazard on the moon since there's no atmosphere to burn them up.

Terraforming is a possibility on Mars too. Not much chance of that happening on the moon since its gravity isn't strong enough to keep much of an atmosphere. That said, for the foreseeable next few centuries people on Mars are going to be living indoors. For the first inhabitants it'll be like an Antarctic research station but less comfortable.