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NASA Proposes a Magnetic Shield To Protect Mars' Atmosphere (phys.org)

Posted by BeauHD on from the science-fiction-to-science-fact dept.

New submitter Baron_Yam writes: Apparently it is no longer necessarily science fiction to consider terraforming the red planet in a human lifetime. NASA scientists have proposed putting a magnetic shield at the Mars L1 Lagrange Point, diverting sufficient solar wind in hopes that the Martian atmosphere would thicken and heat the planet to the point of melting the ice caps, causing what remains of Martian water to pool on the surface. While not enough of a change to allow walking around without a space suit, this would make human exploration of the planet a much easier task.

4 of 211 comments (clear)

  1. Re:No real information by Joce640k · · Score: 4, Funny

    They don't mention much about how this magical magnetic barrier is going to be generated or powered.

    If only there was an easy way to make working superconductors in near-zero ambient temperature environments.

    (or even an easy way to read articles from the comfort of home)

    --
    No sig today...
  2. Please NASA by jpellino · · Score: 5, Funny

    stop watching "Thunderbirds" in the break room.

    --
    "Win treats sysadmins better than users. Mac treats users better than sysadmins. Linux treats everyone like sysadmins."
  3. Troubling words from TFA. by fahrbot-bot · · Score: 5, Funny

    Magnetosheath, Magnetopause, Magnetotail

    Carnac the Magnificent: (opens envelope) "Things X-Man Magento doesn't want to see on his annual medical report."

    --
    It must have been something you assimilated. . . .
  4. Re: No real information by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    That's what they told me initally.

    Now I have hairless genitalia.