NASA may have found a way to restore Mars’ ocean
- 7 years ago
MARS — NASA scientists think it is possible to restore Mars’ oceans by creating an artificial magnetic field that sits in front of the planet.
The concept was shared in NASA’s Planetary Science Vision 2050 Workshop. Scientists think it is possible to place an inflatable structure that generates a magnetic dipole field at the Mars L1 Lagrange Point to form an artificial magnetic shield to protect the planet from solar wind and radiation.
Under this protection, the Martian atmosphere could become thick enough to melt carbon dioxide ice at the northern pole. In time, the atmosphere could spark a greenhouse gas effect that could restore some of Mars’ oceans.
The concept was shared in NASA’s Planetary Science Vision 2050 Workshop. Scientists think it is possible to place an inflatable structure that generates a magnetic dipole field at the Mars L1 Lagrange Point to form an artificial magnetic shield to protect the planet from solar wind and radiation.
Under this protection, the Martian atmosphere could become thick enough to melt carbon dioxide ice at the northern pole. In time, the atmosphere could spark a greenhouse gas effect that could restore some of Mars’ oceans.