Because it is so close, it would be relatively easy to ship supplies to and from the moon, so it seems like an obvious first choice. The Moon presents a tempting location for experimentation in this process. After all, terraforming one place, such as the Moon, would be completely different than terraforming another, such as Mars.ġ.1 The Moon: Close Proximity, Not Enough to Work With These are just two of the staggering challenges that come from terraforming.įirst, it helps to look at where we could possibly terraform. So not only do we need to create a source of oxygen, we also need to find a way to block the sun’s radiation. On Mars, the Moon, and other areas of space, we don’t have that luxury.
![world terraforming games world terraforming games](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/5143rAvIXYL.jpg)
On Earth, we have a nice magnetic field that blocks the sun’s radiation, keeping us healthy and happy. Among the many other factors, we also need a shield from the sun’s dangerous radiation. However, to make a planet hospitable for humans, we need more than just breathable air.
![world terraforming games world terraforming games](https://hisgames.org/images/256/terraforming-earth_34591.jpg)
One of the main components of terraforming is creating a source of oxygen. Since the mid-20th century, the concept of changing a planet’s atmosphere has captured our imagination, appearing in numerous works of fiction, including movies, books, and even video games. But the concept of changing a planet goes back further, even if the term “terraforming” was not used. The first use of the term is credited to science-fiction writer Jack Williamson, whose 1942 story “Collision Orbit” featured the concept. The concept would seem like a rather modern theory, but it actually dates back decades. Terraforming is the process of changing a planet or celestial body’s atmosphere so that is can sustain life, particularly human life. Terraforming 101: Transforming an Inhospitable Planet into An Human-Friendly Oasisįirst, we need to understand what terraforming is and what it is not. And as we’ll learn, we are still a long ways from even coming close to terraforming a planet.ġ. Right now, we are just beginning to grasp the possible options and starting to wrestle with the colossal challenges presented by terraforming. This means we need “terraforming.”īut could it be possible, or is terraforming simply the fantasy of imaginative science-fiction writers? This means we need to create atmospheres.
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But eventually, we will need to be able to step out and walk around, all without equipment or survival gear. In the near future (and by “near” we mean hundreds of years from now), humans may live in cocooned settlements on the Moon or Mars. We have a vast assortment of planets from which to choose, and humans hop and skip from one hospitable globe to another, depending on their preferences. In grand science-fiction fantasies, we imagine a universe dotted with planets that are perfectly capable of supporting human life.