Special Note
Ask an Astrobiologist has received more than 2500 questions about Nibiru and 2012, with more than 200 answers posted. Please read a summary of the answers that have already been posted, view a video on these topics, use the search feature and read the FAQ’s before submitting questions on these topics.
-
Question
Are the light levels on Mars sufficient to make it practical to build greenhouses for growing food and oxygenating plants?
The levels of sunlight on Mars are about half of what we have on Earth (which is the main reason that Mars is much colder than Earth). It is considerably brighter on a typical day on Mars than under a cloudy sky on Earth, however, and many plants thrive under cloudy conditions. A greenhouse would provide higher temperatures, and it can also contain the greater amount of gas that would be required for terrestrial plants to grow there. Some terrestrial plants might be able to survive the conditions within a pressurized greenhouse on Mars, but most would probably also require additional heating to keep the temperature above freezing.
David Morrison
NAI Senior Scientist
September 24, 2003
- How frequently are questions answered?
- I asked a question but there was no answer?
- Who is the Astrobiologist answering these questions?
- Will I get an email when my question is answered?
- What college courses should I take to become an astrobiologist?
- How can I get a job as an astrobiologist at NASA?
- Have aliens visited Earth? Are UFOs real?
- Is there a planet or brown dwarf called Nibiru or Eris that is approaching the Earth and threatening our planet with widespread destruction?
- Is it true that the Sun will be in the center of the Milky Way Galaxy in December 2012 and that this will cause a pole shift and massive destruction.
- Has NASA discovered life on other worlds?
- Astrobiology Career Path Suggestions
