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Making Mars habitable

Nature volume 352, pages 489–496 (1991)Cite this article

Abstract

Mars is believed to be lifeless, but it may be possible to transform it into a planet suitable for habitation by plants, and conceivably humans. The success of such an enterprise would depend on the abundance, distribution and form of materials on the planet that could provide carbon dioxide, water and nitrogen.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Space Science Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, 94035, USA

    Christopher P. McKay

  2. Earth System Science Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, 94035, USA

    Owen B. Toon

  3. Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, 16802, USA

    James F. Kasting

Authors
  1. Christopher P. McKay
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  2. Owen B. Toon
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  3. James F. Kasting
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McKay, C., Toon, O. & Kasting, J. Making Mars habitable. Nature 352, 489–496 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1038/352489a0

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