Colonizing and exploring new planets is quite fascinating, isn’t it? Today in the 21st century, exploring new worlds and planets is possible in many different ways. But colonizing them is another big idea.
Colonizing new places will be useful to us in many different aspects. For example, we can survive future upcoming massive extinctions due to natural or manmade causes. To survive we have to find different places for colonization as the population on earth is increasing day by day.
In the future what if the Earth gets destroyed by extreme solar storms? What if Earth faces any incident that will lead to the extinction of all living species? For the survival of all life forms scientists now are finding different habitable planets like LP890-9B, and LP890-9C.
One of the interesting facts is that many planets are better than Earth for survival. KOI 5715.01 is one example of this kind of planet.
There are many missions started by scientists to find habitable exoplanets. Exoplanet refers to planets outside the solar system. This means scientists are finding habitable planets outside the solar system. The main reason is that there are only 8 planets in our solar system, which are not habitable except Mars.
Exploration
By using the high-powered satellites we are searching for planets like Earth deep in space. But some exoplanets cannot be seen by the telescope. But by many physics equations, we can predict the presence of satellites by the rays that they are reflecting.
In 2009, for the first time in history; a satellite named ”KEPLER” was launched to find exoplanets. In 2018 in place of ‘KEPLER’ NASA launched ‘TESS’ which is more powerful than ‘KEPLER’. ‘KEPLER’ was specially created for finding exoplanets.
It’s shocking to know that by current data there may be a minimum of forty-thousand-crore planets present in our ‘Milky Way’ galaxy.
Then you must think that how many maximum numbers of planets will be present in our galaxy. In the universe, there are innumerable galaxies and also there is the presence of a multiverse [ multiverse: a group of innumerable universes]
So in this vast universe, where we don’t know the exact number of planets, how can we find the total number of habitable planets? But that doesn’t mean that there are no planets like Earth present in space!
Through the precious contribution of scientists, we can find some of the habitable planets and exoplanets in outer space.
Life on Habitable Planets
But wait, here we are finding habitable planets and thinking that we can colonize this planet. What if there are already living creatures? In simple words, we can call them aliens.
The great scientist ‘Stephan Hawking’ even said that we are not the only life forms present in the universe. It’s amazing to hear that scientists already found some bacterial life forms on other habitable planets.
There may be the existence of a more advanced civilization than us. If such civilization is present then instead of colonizing other planets, aliens will colonize Earth to fulfill their needs and humans will be destroyed.
To be safe from any advanced alien civilization, we have to improve our technology and try to be more advanced than today every day!
But in case we do not face any advanced alien civilizations the humans can continue our further journey to explore and colonize new planets.
As mentioned above, the universe is vast and there are many habitable planets present. But what are the conditions that make a planet habitable? Let’s take a quick look at it.
Conditions That Make the Planet Habitable
So can you guys answer my question about why all planets are not habitable? Why can’t we survive on all the other planets?
As we already know, due to the high gravity, high temperature, high pressure, and bad atmosphere or lack of atmosphere of the planets, we can’t survive on all the other planets.
The conditions that make a planet habitable are.,
1. Temperature and Pressure Conditions
To be a habitable planet. The planet must fulfill the conditions of temperature and pressure. The temperature of the planet must be optimum i.e. +5 or -5 degree Celsius to earth temperature. Only then the planet can be on the habitable list. Also, pressure should not be too high or too low. It should be optimum as that of Earth
2. Water Availability
The next condition is the availability of water. Water is one of the crucial components of life. You guys are aware of it, and that life on earth started from the water by a living creature called protoplasm, and today no organism can survive without water. We human beings are made up of 70-72% water.
The availability of water on a planet indicates the best condition for the survival of living beings. Without water, no organism is going to survive
3. Gravity
The next factor is the gravity of a planet. For the existence of living beings, gravity must exist. We need optimum gravity for survival on other planets
4. Size and Mass of the Planet
If the planet is large we will have more area to explore and exist. More the species, the more habitable land! If the mass of the planet is more the presence of gravity will be more {as g=Gm/r sq. gravitational acceleration is directly proportional to the mass of the planet}
5. Position of the Planet from the Host Star
The next most important criterion is the position of the planet from the host star. The planet must be present at an optimum distance from the host star. Not too close and not too far.
If the planet is present too far from the host star it will lead to freezing of the planet. If it closes it will be a desert. So to have oxygen and water, the planet should be present in the ‘Goldilocks Zone’. A zone where a planet can form H2O and O2!
Let’s take an example of a habitable exoplanet named ”Kepler 22b” it is also called Earth 2.0. This planet is around 2.5 times more massive than Earth. It has a temperature of about 15-20 degree Celsius which is like our Earth.
Ways to Reach Habitable Planets
”Kepler 22b” lies in a habitable zone, it was found in 2011. Although we can say it is habitable, did you know how far is this planet from Earth?
It’s surprising to know that it is 635 light-years away from Earth. Even if we achieve the speed of light which is not possible with today’s technology, then also we will need 635 years to reach there! Which makes it more complicated.
But guys, no need to worry! In the upcoming few years, a scientist may be able to find techniques like traveling through a wormhole or the technique called teleportation, or if they may be attained a speed of light; It seems possible to go to another planet and survive.
If this happens our future generations may explore more and more planets inside this universe.
Teleportation and Wormholes
What exactly is teleportation? How will it help us to explore and reach the other planets within a limited time?
Teleportation will be possible by using the concept of quantum entanglement. Quantum entanglement is a physics phenomenon. Quantum entanglement is the transfer of information, and the surprising fact is that information can travel faster than light
Science already knows about quantum physics. Scientists from China have teleported electrons already, mind-blowing isn’t it?
If future humans would be able to invent this technique we are ready to explore the whole universe.
Wormholes are one of the ways to achieve teleportation. Wormhole is a folding of space-time fabric. Einstein stated the concept of a wormhole to disprove quantum physics. Wormhole is also called an Einstein-Rosen Bridge.
Einstein also stated that the Creation of wormholes by one black hole and one white hole is possible. And that wormhole will transfer the information faster than light.
Also with the speed of light, it will be easier to reach the nearest planets within less time by manipulating space-time fabric.
Colonization
This is all about exploration but what about colonization? What about survival? To survive on any other planet it should be habitable. The conditions that make a planet habitable are already mentioned above.
If all the conditions mentioned above are present on a planet then only we can survive there.
To colonize any planet first we have to reach there with our mass population. For this purpose we will need large reusable rockets and large amounts of fuel, also we have to produce food and shelter there.
To stay and colonize the other planet we have to use energy from its host star. We have to develop the techniques of artificial farming so that we can survive there for the long term
Exploring and Colonizing the Solar System
Let’s have a look at how we can colonize our solar system.
Exploring and Colonizing Moon
Since ancient times the Moon has been our favorite satellite to land on. But now in recent years, several space agencies have written proposals to make colonies on the moon. In 2016 ESA proposed the creation of an international village on the moon
Moon also has a tenuous atmosphere. Tenuous is virtually empty. Tenuous leads to extreme temperatures on the moon. To colonize the moon all facilities on the moon have to be airtight, pressurized, and isolated from the environment to resist the temperature and extreme environmental conditions.
The surface of the moon faces high radiations due to the absence of the atmosphere and magnetosphere. So to colonize the moon we need a location that will provide natural protection from extreme conditions.
Exploring and Colonizing Mars
In recent years Mars is the favorite planet for us to explore and colonize. Mars has a thin atmosphere. Its temperature is about -55 degree Celsius on the equator, at the poles, it can even reach -155 degrees Celsius.
This extreme temperature is due to its thin atmosphere. this thin atmosphere is unable to retain heat. Still, mars are the favorite to colonize us due to the similarities between Earth and Mars. So what are those similarities?
Similar things are the availability of water, oxygen, and building blocks of life. Also, the day on Mars is about 24 hours 49 minutes which is quite similar to Earth.
Earth and Mars have the same axial tilt. This axial tilt forms seasonal variations on Mars like Earth. Mars is present in the Goldilocks zone in our solar system
Worldwide many agencies are planning manned missions on Mars. If improvement in technology is done like this, very soon humans will colonize the mars
Tesla CEO Elon Musk and SpaceX company also have plans to colonize Mars. By 2030 we will be having our first Martian. Find more about Mars here
Exploring and Colonizing Mercury
Now it’s turn to colonize Mercury. Mercury is the nearest planet to the sun. It faces extreme heat and extreme cold. As it is close to the sun it experiences very high gravitational pull.
Mercury has a very low rotation period. Mercury does not have axial tilt. Due to the absence of axial tilt Mercury’s poles never face the sun. This leads to the possibility of the presence of ice water on mercury.
We can collect lots of energy from mercury as it is nearest to sun
To survive on mercury, We have to melt ice to form water, water vapors, and oxygen. To bear the extreme temperature of mercury we have to make lava tubes there. Lava tubes will maintain the temperature to optimum.
Mercury had a lot of mineral composition on it. For mankind, Mining can be done on mercury as it has 80% of metals. But for colonizing mercury, we have to create strong infrastructures that will bear the harsh atmosphere.
If we successfully form colonies on mercury, it will provide unlimited minerals and energy to us.
Exploring and Colonizing Jupiter
Jupiter is next on the list. Colonizing on Jupiter’s moons will be possible. Because of the presence of the interior oceans, water ice, minerals, and organic molecules life can exist on the moons of Jupiter.
One of the habitable moons of Jupiter is” EUROPA”. methods to colonize Jupiter’s moon are discovered by scientists. Soon there will be a day when there will be several human colonies. Ganymede and Calisto are too habitable moons of Jupiter.
We can colonize Venus by proper methods. methods. Venus is the brightest planet in the solar system. In ancient times Venus was also referred to as the morning star.
Exploring and Colonizing Venus
Venus has a very dense atmosphere. It is so dense that it can melt lead into a sulphuric acid shower. Studies, it is told that Venus was a very different place earlier. Its atmosphere was bearable.
As I said above, On Venus, there is sulphuric acid rain. We have to build colonies above clouds, it will be safe for us. It’s interesting, right? Also, it is safe for all of us.
To colonize us on Venus we have to alter the environment of Venus. Building colonies above the clouds is one of the safest ways. Above the sky, we will be having floating cities. If this happens Venus will have the city of dreams “CITY IN SKY”!
Venus’s atmosphere is the most earth-like atmosphere. The atmosphere of Venus will protect us from the cosmic radiations from the sun
What are the benefits for us by colonizing Venus? The first one is you guys know that we will get more places to live other than on Earth.
Also, we know Venus is the nearest planet to Earth. As it is nearest to Earth, we can plan the missions on Venus on a low budget. The time required to go on Venus is comparatively low than other planets.
More Facts about Venus
The atmosphere of Venus is primarily made up of carbon dioxide, Sulphur dioxide, and Nitrogen. This will help us to form artificial farming on Venus. But for farming, we have to adapt to stay on the surface of Venus by altering the environment.
The gravity of Venus is also not bad for us to survive. If we somehow managed to break the Sulphur acid rain cycle it will be the habitable nearest place to us
Venus does not have water. Its atmosphere will not allow us to create water synthetically, so we have to transport water from Earth to Venus.
Conclusion
Not just above planets but there are also too many planets that will be best for survival. As science will make progress, we will be able to colonize the whole universe.
The idea of colonizing other planets makes sense. But colonizing this planet is not that easy. We have to face various problems in space. Going beyond the asteroid belt is also challenging if human rockets will strike any space body. Space debris is also another thing.
Even though space exploration and colonization are challenging, we will find solutions for all the problems. And there will be a day when we all can enjoy our holiday in space!
Till then, what’s your opinion about space exploration? What other things can be done to improve our technology? Let me know in the comments, and don’t forget to share this blog with your friends.
Last Updated on November 16, 2023 by ayeshayusuf
