Difference between revisions of "Environmental conditions"
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==Atmosphere pressure== | ==Atmosphere pressure== | ||
| − | The Martian [[atmosphere]] has one hundreth of Earth's atmospheric density and seven thousandths of Earth's atmospheric pressure. For practical purposes when designing pressure vessels to maintain life supporting conditions on Mars it is sufficient to estimate the Martian atmospheric pressure as zero. | + | The Martian [[atmosphere]] has one hundreth of Earth's atmospheric density and seven thousandths of Earth's atmospheric pressure. The pressure varies considerably from day to day, from season to season, and from place to place on Mars. For practical purposes when designing pressure vessels to maintain life supporting conditions on Mars it is sufficient to estimate the Martian atmospheric pressure as zero. |
==Wind speed (Viking Lander sites)== | ==Wind speed (Viking Lander sites)== | ||
Revision as of 02:49, 22 February 2010
The Environmental conditions on Mars are different from those of Earth. Human beings can not live there without technical systems. Unless successful terraforming can be performed, Martian settlers are bound to artificial habitats.
Contents
Temperature
The temperatures on the Martian surface is much lower than on Earth.
- Average atmosphere temperature: -63 °C
- Diurnal temperature range: -89 °C to -31 °C (Viking 1 Lander site)
- Minimum: −125 °C near the poles in winter
- Maximum: 20 °C near the equator
Atmosphere pressure
The Martian atmosphere has one hundreth of Earth's atmospheric density and seven thousandths of Earth's atmospheric pressure. The pressure varies considerably from day to day, from season to season, and from place to place on Mars. For practical purposes when designing pressure vessels to maintain life supporting conditions on Mars it is sufficient to estimate the Martian atmospheric pressure as zero.
Wind speed (Viking Lander sites)
- Summer: 2-7 m/s
- Fall: 5-10 m/s
- Dust storms: 17-30 m/s
- Dust devils: ?
Open issues
- Is there a potential threat from dust devils?
