Mars: the new Earth?

Mars is essentially humanities last hope. Although we don't particularly see it now, the planet we call home is slowly dying and disintegrating because of us. Instead of fixing our behavior before it really is too late, we're looking to the sky. 

A manned mission to Mars would take decades to plan. Not to mention the fact that it takes about a year to get to that red planet. Without any fuel stops. After reaching Mars, we have to fully know if our species can really live on it. Mars has similar size and density to Earth, but it has a drastically different air composition, it has extremely different weather patterns, and the last time life was on Mars was millions of years ago... and that was bacteria. The colonization of this red planet would be long and difficult and not everyone would be capable of going. For some odd reason, we believe this jump to a completely new planet is our answer. Instead of just taking care of the one we have now. 

Personally, I believe Mars should be visited and traveled to, but not colonized. Ever since we made this discovery that Mars could be the solution to our dying planet and looming timeline, fixing and taking care of Earth hasn't been a priority. 

  

    

                                       

The Gas Giants

Our solar system is comprised of eight planets (nine, for Pluto fans). The outer four are Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. On this blog post, these four rather large outer planets are the subject. These planets reside past the asteroid belt. A gas giant is composed of gases (obviously) like those as helium and hydrogen. Jupiter and Saturn are larger than Uranus and Neptune. These bodies all have rather different chemical compositions.

Fun fact: Scientists have discovered hundreds and thousands of planets outside of our solar system. These planets are being studied to help us learn how our solar system is made. 

Breaking these planets down, first we have Jupiter:

As the largest planet in our solar system, it is about 11 times the size of Earth. It has about 50 known moons. The planets is made of helium and hydrogen and the core is made of ice and rock. That ice and rock is made up of metallic hydrogen. Which means it had a massive magnetic field. Fun fact: IT HAS RINGS!!! AND A COOL RED SPOT!

Saturn is up next, being about 9 times the size of Earth. The formation of these well-known rings of this planet is actually a mystery. Saturn and Jupiter's atmosphere are very similar. Saturn has 53 moons.

Uranus is one of the most unique in our solar system because it is the only planet that titled on its side. It is about 4 times the size of Earth. It rotates backwards, which probably means it was hit by another massive object a while ago and it disrupted the rotation.

Neptune!! This pretty blue planet is about 4 times the size of Earth as well! With 13 moons and 1 currently being decided on, its quite the site to see. Especially the planets storms!