Mars vs Venus: The Choice of Human Exploration
In the vastness of the solar system, Earth's two closest neighbors – Mars and Venus – have long attracted the attention of mankind. These two planets are not only our closest neighbors, but also the primary goal of human exploration of outer space.
However, despite the fact that they are both located within the habitable zone of the solar system, their environmental characteristics are very different, which has also led to significant differences in human exploration strategies.
Mars: The Red Desert of Hope
Mars, the red planet, has always been the focus of human exploration. Since the 60s of the 20th century, humans have sent dozens of probes to Mars, including orbiters, landers and roverers. These missions not only reveal the mystery of Mars, but also provide valuable information for possible future interstellar migration of mankind.
Mars' environmental conditions are relatively mild, which is one of the main reasons why it has become a hotspot for exploration. The average temperature on Mars is about minus 63 degrees Celsius, but at noon in the equatorial region, the temperature can rise to more than 20 degrees Celsius. This temperature range, while still harsh for humans, is already relatively habitable compared to other planets.
The atmospheric pressure of Mars is very low, only about 0.6% of the atmospheric pressure at sea level on Earth. This means that humans cannot breathe directly on the surface of Mars, but it also allows sunlight to shine directly on the surface, making it possible to use solar energy in the future.
Most excitingly, scientists have found evidence of the presence of water on Mars. The ice caps at the poles of Mars, the ice below, and the possible presence of liquid water in the subsurface offer hope for future resource use and the exploration of life.
The rotation period of Mars is about 24 hours and 37 minutes, which is very close to the day of the Earth. This means that the circadian rhythm on Mars is similar to that on Earth, which is conducive to human adaptation. In addition, Mars also has a distinct seasonal change, which further increases its similarity to Earth.
These features make Mars a possible future colony for humanity. Scientists envision that by creating closed ecosystems and using local resources, it will be possible for humans to establish long-term living bases on Mars. This is not only a challenge for science and technology, but also a great leap forward for human civilization.
Venus: Beautiful lies
In contrast, the story of Venus is full of drama. As Earth's closest neighbor, Venus was once considered Earth's "sister planet". It is similar in size and mass to the Earth, and its position from the Sun is also within the habitable zone. These features have made scientists have great expectations for Venus.
However, with advances in exploration technology, the true face of Venus is gradually revealed. Beginning in the 60s of the last century, the United States and the Soviet Union successively launched several probes to Venus. Among them, the Soviet Union's Venus series of probes made a major breakthrough, successfully landing on the surface of Venus several times and transmitting back data.
These probes reveal the extreme environment on the surface of Venus. The average temperature on the surface of Venus is as high as 462 degrees Celsius, which is enough to melt lead. This high temperature is mainly due to the greenhouse effect caused by Venus's thick atmosphere. More than 96% of Venus's atmosphere is made up of carbon dioxide, creating a heavy, almost opaque blanket that locks heat firmly to the surface.
Not only that, but the atmospheric pressure of Venus has reached a staggering 92 standard atmospheres, which is equivalent to the pressure at 1,000 meters of the Earth's ocean floor. Under this pressure, even the most rugged detectors struggle to survive for long periods of time. In fact, the longest surviving probe that landed on the surface of Venus was only about 2 hours.
Venus's atmosphere is also filled with clouds of sulfuric acid, creating a constant stream of acid rain. This corrosive environment further complicates detection. There is also active volcanic activity on the surface of Venus, which not only shapes the planet's landscape, but also exacerbates its harsh environment.
These discoveries have revolutionized the way scientists think about Venus. The "sister planet", which was once pinned on high hopes, is actually a world that is extremely unfriendly to life. This also led to a shift in the focus of exploration, making Mars a more interesting target.
The future choice of human civilization
In the face of two very different neighbors, Mars and Venus, the choice of the future of human civilization has become particularly important. Despite its harsh environment, Mars still offers a glimmer of hope for humanity.
Scientists envision that through terraforming, it is possible to modify the Martian environment in the future to make it more suitable for human life. This includes a series of complex processes such as increasing the density of the atmosphere, raising temperatures, and releasing water resources.
In contrast, Venus is much more difficult to transform. Lowering the surface temperature of Venus, reducing atmospheric pressure, and removing toxic gases will require technology and resources far beyond what humans are currently capable of. Therefore, Venus may remain an object of study only from a distance for the foreseeable future.
However, the study of Venus remains significant. By studying the extreme greenhouse effect of Venus, scientists can better understand the mechanism of climate change and provide an important reference for protecting the Earth's environment. At the same time, Venus's high-temperature and high-pressure environment also provides a unique natural laboratory for the study of physical and chemical processes under extreme conditions.
The motivation of human exploration of extraterrestrials
The motivations for human exploration of extraterrestrial phenomena are manifold. First, scientific curiosity drives us to constantly explore the unknown. Understanding the formation and evolution of other planets can help us better understand the history of the Earth and the entire solar system.
Secondly, the potential for resource exploitation is also an important factor. Water resources, metal deposits, and even carbon dioxide in the atmosphere on Mars could be used by humans in the future.
Third, the search for extraterrestrial life has always been a dream of mankind. While no definitive signs of life have been found so far, evidence of the presence of liquid water on Mars, as well as the recent discovery of phosphine gas in Venus's atmosphere, provide new directions for this exploration.
Finally, and most ambitiously, the motivation is to find a new home for human civilization. With the increasing tension of the earth's resources and the intensification of environmental problems, exploring other habitable planets has become a long-term goal of mankind.
epilogue
Mars and Venus, two worlds so close to Earth and yet so different, show us the diversity and complexity of the universe. They are not only the objects of scientific research, but also the possible direction of the future development of human civilization.
Whether it is the hope on Mars or the warning given to us by Venus, they are all promoting the progress of human science and technology and the expansion of cognition. As we explore these distant worlds, we are constantly rediscovering our home, Earth, and our place in the universe.