National Weather Service said that temperatures in the northeastern United States hit 20 to 30 degrees below average in 2018, setting new records for cold. It gets so cold there that some areas of Mars, a harsh, arid planet, are actually warmer than other places in the United States. But how does the temperature on Mars compare to that on Earth?
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Temperature on Mars Explained
Science Alert said the average temperature on Mars is roughly -81 degrees Fahrenheit (-60 degrees Celsius), which, yes, is now far colder than Minnesota. But the temperature range on the Red Planet is far wider. Wintertime lows near the poles can reach -195 degrees Fahrenheit.
Near the equator, a summer day on Mars might reach 70 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius), with NASA recording the hottest temperature at a toasty 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Because of this, we may legitimately claim that there are places on Earth that are always colder than Mars.
The comparison is correct, but with one significant difference, according to Michael Mischna, a research scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California, in an interview with The Atlantic.
Say the temperature on Earth and the Red Planet were both 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius). The thin atmosphere of Mars and the absence of water vapor mean that the two temperatures will not feel the same to a human body.
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In other words, it wouldn't feel as chilly if there weren't as many water molecules stealing your heat. So here's how it works: Mars experiences a broad range of temperatures depending on the location on the planet and the season, much like any other planet.
Yes, due to the tilt of its axis, it has seasons, much like Earth. Therefore, it is simple to assert "it's colder than Mars," and it may be so. However, the reality is as complex as cosmological environmental fluctuations.
Can We Survive the Temperature on Mars?
While the Martian landscape may seem inhospitable to humans, Make Use Of said people can survive on Mars, but with some difficulty. There are a lot of difficult barriers along the path. The key difficulties include traveling to and from Mars, living in a hostile climate, and manufacturing food, water, and fuel.
Although it may seem impossible, scientists remain optimistic. In fact, SpaceX might launch people to Mars as early as 2024, according to Elon Musk. And even if the first few tasks will presumably simply require temporarily residing there, that's still an amazing achievement!
The Martian atmosphere is over 95% carbon dioxide and contains only 0.13% oxygen. It is also thinner, colder, and denser. Additionally, the radiation levels are substantially greater. People will have to live in self-sustaining ecosystems as a result. There will need to be some sort of radiation shielding for Martian residents due to the increased solar radiation on Mars.
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