Mars is the biggest contender for a second earth in the solar system. But what would it take to live there? For this thought experiment, let’s send a Maltese person to Mars.

The optimal time to start our mission is when Mars is closest to earth. Since both planets are orbiting the sun, our next best option is July 2018. After a seven-month trip, our Maltese friend would finally reach earth’s red neighbour, but if they stepped out their spacesuit, they would die very quickly. Mars’ atmosphere holds under one per cent of oxygen, and almost 96 per cent carbon dioxide. This is great for plants, but we need around 10 per cent oxygen not to faint.

Scientists believe that Mars once had a much better atmosphere, but over the last 4.5 billion years the core has cooled down, and the magnetic field became weak. The field protects the planet’s surface from dangerous solar radiation and keeps gases like oxygen contained safely.

One very rad theory is dropping giant thermonuclear bombs on Mars’ poles, which was first proposed by Elon Musk and his company SpaceX. This could release enough carbon dioxide to create a greenhouse effect, much like what we are experiencing on earth. This would warm the planet up from its freezing -55°C and allow plant life to exist. Plants could then turn some of the carbon dioxide into oxygen and create a breathable atmosphere.

The problem is time. It would take several hundred years. By that time our Maltese voyager is probably old and wrinkly, but luckily their great-grandchild continues in their honour. When the child arrives on the freshly terraformed planet, the Maltese could breathe air, and would find themselves landing in a thriving jungle.

Happy ending? Not yet. Mars also has a significantly lower gravity than earth, about 1/3. While it is fun to jump higher without breaking a sweat, this will lead to serious physiological issues over time. A lack of exercise harms muscles and bones significantly.

The Maltese astronaut would need daily training to keep in shape, as would the animals that hitched a ride from earth. In theory we can go to Mars, and we probably could make it liveable. 

Sound bites

• A recent study suggests that Mars had big ancient lakes in the past. Rock samples from earth’s red neighbour have shown traces of various minerals. These mineral veins have formed by the evaporation of Mars’ lakes, long before our time. The sediment was then buried under layers of dust and stone, heated up to about 50 degrees Celsius, and corroded. Despite its past water resources, it is still unclear if Mars ever had any form of life.

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-08/uoz-oot080916.php

• Did you have a teacher in school you loved or hated? Researchers have now found that a healthy relationship between 10- 11-year-old students and their teacher, fosters good social behaviour. Reduced aggression towards their peers and acknowledging authority more willingly, are two additional benefits of this practice. Teachers should be encouraged to foster a good climate more than ever before.

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-08/uoc-ptr080916.php

Fun facts

• If you spot a cockroach during the day, don’t scream, it probably has been infected by the parasitic emerald wasp Ampulex compressa.

• Sir Temi Zammit was the Rector of the University of Malta between 1920-26, he was also a professor of chemistry – among other achievements.

• Maltese wild thyme honey has been found to have antimicrobial properties.

• In the last 10 years the University of Malta has quadrupled its research output, a remarkable achievement.

• The housefly is the most dangerous animal in the world transmitting the most diseases.

For more trivia: www.um.edu.mt/think