3 ms·
> An asteroid impact I wonder whether this is more likely to happen on Mars (due to its relative proximity to the asteroid belt).
by Koshkin 6y ago
> An asteroid impact
I wonder whether this is more likely to happen on Mars (due to its relative proximity to the asteroid belt).
- najarvg 6y agoThis is a very valid question and we should all be asking this. Mars has approximately 200 estimated asteroid impacts per year (https://www.space.com/21198-mars-asteroid-strikes-common.html https://www.space.com/21198-mars-asteroid-strikes-common.htm... - a bit dated) while earth has about 10-12, most hitting water. The vast majority disintegrate in our atmosphere (https://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/impact.html https://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/impact.html). While I understand the need for us to look to the stars and dream big, if catastrophic destruction is the primary driver for looking for settling on Mars, we should ask if Antarctica might be a better first choice.
- ed_balls 6y agoaverage person on Mars would be much better prepared to the impact.
- Koshkin 6y agoWhile the environmental impact would be minimal (primarily because there's not much environment to speak of to begin with), no one can possibly prepare for a direct hit on the head.
- ed_balls 6y agoAccess to rocket would be greater on Mars so you can temporary evacuate. Access to tools to say underground etc.
- darkerside 6y agoAll of this can be built on Earth, much more easily