Greenhouse effect

Definition

Short-wave electromagnetic radiation from the Sun passes through the transparent atmosphere unhindered (except for the effect that albedo has on the mean reflectivity of a planet). On heating the planet's surface, long-wave radiation (i.e. Infrared radiation) is emitted into the atmosphere. Long-wave radiation will not escape into space if the atmosphere is dense enough, and contains greenhouse gases (such as carbon dioxide, water vapour, methane etc.) which reflect long-wave radiation back to the surface, heating the atmosphere further. This shortwave input, long-wave emission, long-wave reflection, atmospheric heating process is known as the Greenhouse Effect.

Terraforming Mars

The Greenhouse Effect is an essential process to heat a planet's atmosphere to habitable temperatures. To make life sustainable on the surface of Mars, the process of terraforming would require a thickening of the tenuous Martian atmosphere and injection of selected greenhouse gases.

Artificial Greenhouse Effect

Greenhouses are artificial structures that harness heating from the greenhouse effect. Greenhouses will be an essential addition to future colonies on Mars if they are to be long-term and self-sufficient. Essential for growing food, greenhouses will also provide immense feelings of well-being for humans living away from Earth, so the psychological effects on colonists will be invaluable.