One such suggestion is to cause a nuclear explosion on Mars that would add heat and trigger a greenhouse effect, as massive amounts of dust would get into the Mars atmosphere.
Another suggestion is to sprinkle dark dust particles that would warm up the poles and absorb sunlight in the atmosphere as well.
Here's a new suggestion. A team of NASA agency Ames recently pointed out that fluorine-based gases could be made from elements that are readily available on Mars.
In particular, a compound called octafluoropropane, or C3F8, could thicken the atmosphere, especially when combined with other gases. Computer modeling showed that adding some 300 parts per million of the gas mixture would spark a runaway greenhouse effect. Frozen carbon dioxide would evaporate, leading to further warming.
An article at New Scientist discusses this at:
http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn6973
One of the things that needs to be studied more closer is the question whether life exist on Mars and if such terraforming could destroy that life. Does anyone have any more ideas?
Anyway, all the above scenarios require expedition to Mars. Here's a suggestion that could be done while staying closer to Earth. How about positioning large mirrors in space pointing sunlight at Mars.
An added advantage of the latter idea could be that, when positioned above earth, such mirrors could deflect some of the sunlight normally shining on Earth to Mars. This way, perhaps some of the negative effects of global warming could be avoided.
Any views on this? How much would it cost?
Sam Carana
[from: Terraforming Mars - February 9 2005]
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