Reply #8: It is hostile. [View All]

[Meldread]

Aside from the lack of obvious things, no oxygen for example, you could be fried by cosmic radiation and solar particles that come from Space because Mars has a weak (almost non-existent) magnetic field. Oh, that and it'd be like walking around on Antarctica.

Mars is a very hostile place, even though it looks relatively docile and calm. It's strange in away, because looking at the pictures it almost looks like it is a desert wasteland type area here on Earth.

Because of the above reasons (and a good number of others) is why I don't understand why so many people want to setup space colonies on Mars. Most of the same challenges one would find on Mars can also be found on the Moon, and unlike Mars the Moon is a hellva lot closer. I think it is because it is the planet that looks "most like home", but I think most people forget the fact that its looks are very deceiving.

You can read more about Mars magnetic field here: http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/odyssey_radiation_030313.html