Scientists are planning to build a human colony on Mars with huge spacecraft, life-sustaining methods, and more as part of the mission. Elon Musk hopes to send people to the red planet aboard the Starship, SpaceX's mega venture that has conducted six tests till now and is planning on having more.

But can humans really survive on Mars? Can all the technology in the world protect them from the intense radiation and the harsh environment? Housing and appropriate breathing spaces are going to be a challenge when humans actually land on Mars. Musk wants to do it soon, while NASA doesn't think that can happen before the end of the next decade.

But the problems don't end there. Scientists are worried that living on Mars can alter the human body in unimaginable ways.&nbsp;

Dr. Scott Solomon, a biologist, believes that the human body will undergo evolutionary changes if people start living on Mars. In his 2016 book, Future Humans: Inside the Science of Our Continuing Evolution, he describes what future humans who descend from those who settled on the red planet might look like. His picture appears to be similar to what we have long thought aliens to look like - green and frail.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/the-three-word-message-about-nukes-aliens-are-sending-us-as-per-an-ex-us-army-official-779882">The three-word message about nukes aliens are sending us, as per an ex-US army official</a>

<h2>Problem with living on Mars</h2>

This is because Mars is smaller than Earth, and it has 38 per cent less gravity. There is no magnetic field and no ozone layer. In such a scenario, cosmic rays and space radiation constantly bombard it. Solomon says humans would be forced to adapt to these conditions and might acquire a new colour. "Perhaps in the face of this high radiation, we might evolve some new type of skin pigment to help us deal with that radiation...Maybe we get our own green men," he says.

He says such humans can develop green skin because of mutations and have weak vision, brittle bones, and reduced muscle strength.&nbsp;

The biologist believes that humans will become nearsighted because they will be living in small enclaves. A lower level of gravity would weaken the muscles and the bones. NASA knows about the effect space can have on the human body, and has been trying to tackle the problem in order to send people to the Moon and Mars. Travelling or living in space for a long time can lead astronauts to develop osteoporosis.

However, the problem is still a distant issue since experts don't think that the initial humans would be able to survive long enough on Mars to have children. This includes Musk, who has already said that there is a "good chance you’ll die".

Scientists are planning to build a human colony on Mars with huge spacecraft, life-sustaining methods, and more as part of the mission. Elon Musk hopes to send people to the red planet aboard the Starship, SpaceX's mega venture that has conducted six tests till now and is planning on having more.

Scientists are planning to build a human colony on Mars with huge spacecraft, life-sustaining methods, and more as part of the mission. Elon Musk hopes to send people to the red planet aboard the Starship, SpaceX's mega venture that has conducted six tests till now and is planning on having more. But can humans really survive on Mars? Can all the technology in the world protect them from the intense radiation and the harsh environment? Housing and appropriate breathing spaces are going to be a challenge when humans actually land on Mars. Musk wants to do it soon, while NASA doesn't think that can happen before the end of the next decade. But the problems don't end there. Scientists are worried that living on Mars can alter the human body in unimaginable ways. Dr. Scott Solomon, a biologist, believes that the human body will undergo evolutionary changes if people start living on Mars. In his 2016 book, Future Humans: Inside the Science of Our Continuing Evolution, he describes what future humans who descend from those who settled on the red planet might look like. His picture appears to be similar to what we have long thought aliens to look like - green and frail. Also Read: The three-word message about nukes aliens are sending us, as per an ex-US army official Problem with living on Mars This is because Mars is smaller than Earth, and it has 38 per cent less gravity. There is no magnetic field and no ozone layer. In such a scenario, cosmic rays and space radiation constantly bombard it. Solomon says humans would be forced to adapt to these conditions and might acquire a new colour. "Perhaps in the face of this high radiation, we might evolve some new type of skin pigment to help us deal with that radiation...Maybe we get our own green men," he says. He says such humans can develop green skin because of mutations and have weak vision, brittle bones, and reduced muscle strength. The biologist believes that humans will become nearsighted because they will be living in small enclaves. A lower level of gravity would weaken the muscles and the bones. NASA knows about the effect space can have on the human body, and has been trying to tackle the problem in order to send people to the Moon and Mars. Travelling or living in space for a long time can lead astronauts to develop osteoporosis. However, the problem is still a distant issue since experts don't think that the initial humans would be able to survive long enough on Mars to have children. This includes Musk, who has already said that there is a "good chance you’ll die".

Mars might turn humans into 'green' little beings, as per a biologist

Scientists at the University of British Columbia (UBC) have found a way to generate power on Mars in the future using thermoelectric generators. They conducted a study which shows that thermoelectric generators operating under modest temperature differences can help CO2 conversion.

The findings have led them to believe that temperature differentials in different environments can help convert CO2 to different types of useful fuels and chemicals.

The paper has been published in the journal Device.

They are particularly intrigued by the possibility of its application in the cold environment of Mars where CO2 is present in abundance in the red planet's atmosphere.

“The environment on Mars really got me interested in the long-term potential of this technology combination,” said Dr Abhishek Soni, a postdoctoral research fellow at UBC and first author of the study.

“This is a harsh environment where large temperature differences could be leveraged to not only generate power with thermoelectric generators but to convert the abundant CO2 in Mars’ atmosphere into useful products that could supply a colony.”

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The researchers attached the generators to two different temperatures and found that when the difference between the two faces was at least 40 degrees Celsius, enough steady current was released to power an electrolyser that converts CO2 to CO.

<h2>Colonising Mars</h2>

On Mars, the process becomes a bit more challenging. The Martian atmosphere comprises 95 per cent carbon dioxide. Temperatures on the red planet range from 20 degrees C to -153 degrees C.

A biodome would need to be created on Mars and maintained at room temperature. Thermoelectric generators placed on the dome’s surface will use the difference between indoor temperatures and the frigid outside temperatures to generate power. This power can drive CO2 conversion into other carbon-based products, such as fuels and chemicals.&nbsp;

The researchers are excited by the various possibilities this technology can lead to.&nbsp;

“This paper shows a fun way to make carbon-neutral fuels and chemicals,” Professor Curtis P. Berlinguette, principal investigator at UBC, said. It can help create plastic that might be needed on Mars one day, and "this technology shows one way we can make it there," he said.

Scientists at the University of British Columbia (UBC) have found a way to generate power on Mars in the future using thermoelectric generators. They conducted a study which shows that thermoelectric generators operating under modest temperature differences can help CO2 conversion.

Scientists at the University of British Columbia (UBC) have found a way to generate power on Mars in the future using thermoelectric generators. They conducted a study which shows that thermoelectric generators operating under modest temperature differences can help CO2 conversion. The findings have led them to believe that temperature differentials in different environments can help convert CO2 to different types of useful fuels and chemicals. The paper has been published in the journal Device. They are particularly intrigued by the possibility of its application in the cold environment of Mars where CO2 is present in abundance in the red planet's atmosphere. “The environment on Mars really got me interested in the long-term potential of this technology combination,” said Dr Abhishek Soni, a postdoctoral research fellow at UBC and first author of the study. “This is a harsh environment where large temperature differences could be leveraged to not only generate power with thermoelectric generators but to convert the abundant CO2 in Mars’ atmosphere into useful products that could supply a colony.” Also Read: Uranus not a hot mess: A mistimed encounter between Voyager 2 in 1986 messed up data The researchers attached the generators to two different temperatures and found that when the difference between the two faces was at least 40 degrees Celsius, enough steady current was released to power an electrolyser that converts CO2 to CO. Colonising Mars On Mars, the process becomes a bit more challenging. The Martian atmosphere comprises 95 per cent carbon dioxide. Temperatures on the red planet range from 20 degrees C to -153 degrees C. A biodome would need to be created on Mars and maintained at room temperature. Thermoelectric generators placed on the dome’s surface will use the difference between indoor temperatures and the frigid outside temperatures to generate power. This power can drive CO2 conversion into other carbon-based products, such as fuels and chemicals. The researchers are excited by the various possibilities this technology can lead to. “This paper shows a fun way to make carbon-neutral fuels and chemicals,” Professor Curtis P. Berlinguette, principal investigator at UBC, said. It can help create plastic that might be needed on Mars one day, and "this technology shows one way we can make it there," he said.

Mars is full of CO2. Scientists want to make fuel and plastic out of it

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Mars might turn humans into 'green' little beings, as per a biologist

Mars is full of CO2. Scientists want to make fuel and plastic out of it