Can We Create a Magnetic Field on Mars through Moon Formation?

In summary, we would need to use a large number of atomic bombs to create a temperature differential and rotate the core of Mars. This would require a colony to be present on the planet to maintain it.
  • #1
tanzanos
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In my opinion, any attempt to colonise Mars would require a sustainable atmosphere. Without a magnetic field; This atmosphere will quickly be stripped away by solar winds.

Now if we were to "Build" a large enough moon orbiting Mars by towing asteroids into Martian orbit and allowing accretion to form a moon large enough to cause tidal effects that would increase the core temperature of Mars then will it not be possible to "wake" not only the "dynamo" effect but volcanism as well. This will result in conditions more suitable for long term colonisation.

I know that it will require a hell of a lot of mass in asteroids but Rome was not built in a day neither.
 
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  • #2
tanzanos said:
In my opinion, any attempt to colonise Mars would require a sustainable atmosphere. Without a magnetic field; This atmosphere will quickly be stripped away by solar winds.
There are a lot of opinions about what would be needed and what not.

Your proposal would not just require a lot of mass, time, and energy ... it would require so much that it would need a colony as well.

However - I don't see a question in there.
 
  • #3
Simon Bridge said:
There are a lot of opinions about what would be needed and what not.

Your proposal would not just require a lot of mass, time, and energy ... it would require so much that it would need a colony as well.

However - I don't see a question in there.
Yes you are right; My question is: "What mass must the moon have in order to cause enough tidal force to increase the core temperature of Mars to the point where a magnetic field will be created"?
 
  • #4
You want to rely on tidal forces to restart the dynamo in Mars?
I did a bit of reading around just to check, and the trick is to create a temperature differential and rotate the core.

Mars' core is expected to be Iron-sulphide, which has a lower melting point than straight Fe ... so it may already be molten. One of the models for the snuffing of Mars' planetary-magnetic dynamo is that too much heating occurred during the bombardment phase. So I'd imagine that introducing tidal squeezing to heat the planet would be ticklishly precise... too much as ineffective as too little.

Then, of course, a stronger magnetic field may make plasmoids more likely - just making the atmosphere loss worse rather than better.

As for how much - not enough info. We need to know more about the interior composition. I'm sure someone's done the math for, say, Io - so tidal heating models will exist.
 
  • #5
Mars would end up orbiting anybody large enough to induce tidal friction heating, and would require a massive companion to perturb its orbit sufficient to stretch and relax its surface. See http://www.astro.washington.edu/users/smith/Astro150/Tutorials/TidalHeat/ for further details.
 
  • #6
We just have to create a liquid mantle, several thousand atomic bombs detonated deep within the crust ought to do the trick.
 
  • #7
How about getting two large bodies to orbit their common com at the Mars orbit?
 
  • #8
Reptillian said:
We just have to create a liquid mantle, several thousand atomic bombs detonated deep within the crust ought to do the trick.

This is a fun Fermi problem, but I think if you work out the numbers, you be surprised at how tiny and insignificant a few thousand atomic bombs are.
 
  • #9
twofish-quant said:
This is a fun Fermi problem, but I think if you work out the numbers, you be surprised at how tiny and insignificant a few thousand atomic bombs are.

Wow, you're right. I did a rough estimate and it would take on the order of a hundered billion 50 megaton bombs to melt Mars' crust. I think we're going to need antimatter weapons if we're going to take the liquifaction approach.
 
  • #10
Reptillian said:
Wow, you're right. I did a rough estimate and it would take on the order of a hundered billion 50 megaton bombs to melt Mars' crust. I think we're going to need antimatter weapons if we're going to take the liquifaction approach.
Hmm! perhaps a comet or asteroid impact may produce that kind of energy? Maybe even sequential strikes by many 1+ kilometre sized objects?

Another way would be to send from the asteroid belt hundreds of thousands of asteroids to impact with Mars and thus increase its mass resulting in thermal increase of the mantle due to energy released from the impacts but also from the added compression due to added mass?

Oh if only Venus was where Mars is and Mars where Venus is. Shame really! Now we have to do some serious astroengineering if we are to ever make Mars habitable!
 
  • #11
Reptillian said:
We just have to create a liquid mantle, several thousand atomic bombs detonated deep within the crust ought to do the trick.
Waving our science fiction wand and proposing this is done have you worked out how long it would take for the surface to cool and become solid with a reasonable temperature (and tectonic activity)?
 
  • #12
Wouldn't it be easier to create a magnetic field on the surface? Possibly with some massive magnets? Either way, we are really good at generating electricity, so perhaps we can leverage this to induce enough magnetism to protect the planet. I think I read somewhere that the actual strength of the magnetic field around Earth isn't that strong. I'm not sure if I misunderstood, but either way it seems more cost efficient to build field generators on the surface than mess with the core. Plus, the concept of smashing asteroids and comets into Mars has major problems when it comes to Earth's safety. Not only would you potentially eject hazardous degree into space that could make its way to Earth, but you would be perturbing the structure of the asteroid belt in ways that could fling material into the inner solar system.
 
  • #13
Ryan_m_b said:
Waving our science fiction wand and proposing this is done have you worked out how long it would take for the surface to cool and become solid with a reasonable temperature (and tectonic activity)?

You wouldn't melt the entire crust, just up to a certain depth. I don't think tectonics is necessary for a magnetic field.

mjacobsca said:
Wouldn't it be easier to create a magnetic field on the surface? Possibly with some massive magnets? Either way, we are really good at generating electricity, so perhaps we can leverage this to induce enough magnetism to protect the planet. I think I read somewhere that the actual strength of the magnetic field around Earth isn't that strong. I'm not sure if I misunderstood, but either way it seems more cost efficient to build field generators on the surface than mess with the core. Plus, the concept of smashing asteroids and comets into Mars has major problems when it comes to Earth's safety. Not only would you potentially eject hazardous degree into space that could make its way to Earth, but you would be perturbing the structure of the asteroid belt in ways that could fling material into the inner solar system.

That's an exellent suggestion! :) Creative! I like it. We just take a few nuclear powerplants and make a giant grid of electromagnets to protect the planet. That could even work here on Earth to protect our satellites from solar flares.
 
  • #14
tanzanos said:
Hmm! perhaps a comet or asteroid impact may produce that kind of energy? Maybe even sequential strikes by many 1+ kilometre sized objects?

Another way would be to send from the asteroid belt hundreds of thousands of asteroids to impact with Mars and thus increase its mass resulting in thermal increase of the mantle due to energy released from the impacts but also from the added compression due to added mass?

Oh if only Venus was where Mars is and Mars where Venus is. Shame really! Now we have to do some serious astroengineering if we are to ever make Mars habitable!

Geez. Might be easier to take advantage of the slightly chaotic nature of the Solar System to get Mars and Venus to trade places. It could take a billion years, though. It might take a million years just to fill out the environmental impact form.
 
  • #15
ImaLooser said:
Geez. Might be easier to take advantage of the slightly chaotic nature of the Solar System to get Mars and Venus to trade places. It could take a billion years, though. It might take a million years just to fill out the environmental impact form.

:rofl: :uhh: and all these tongues in cheek in a serious forum?? I guess it can be moved to SF next week.
 
  • #16
Wouldn't it be easier to create a magnetic field on the surface? Possibly with some massive magnets? Either way, we are really good at generating electricity, so perhaps we can leverage this to induce enough magnetism to protect the planet.
My immediate picture was of wrapping Mars in wire for a big (iron core!) solenoid.

I could even imagine someone trying it ... the trick would be locating the owners to get consent: something the ethics committee will probably insist on. Since ecological impact is the whole point - that would be a hefty document ... thought the standard templates will be quick to fill out:
Impact on waterways and wetlands - none.
Impact on local indigenous population - none.

I found a https://www.amazon.com/dp/0394549287/?tag=pfamazon01-20 of the kinds of planetary improvements that are likely to be approved.
 
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  • #17
tanzanos said:
In my opinion, any attempt to colonise Mars would require a sustainable atmosphere. Without a magnetic field; This atmosphere will quickly be stripped away by solar winds.

You know venus has an atmosphere and no magnetic field. Does the magnetic field help to retain certain gasses, or is it there for cosmic ray shielding?
 
  • #18
d3mm said:
You know venus has an atmosphere and no magnetic field. Does the magnetic field help to retain certain gasses, or is it there for cosmic ray shielding?

Venus has no magnetic field, as you suggest, but 1) it is much larger than Mars, which allowed it to retain a very thick atmosphere comparatively, AND 2) it experienced an extreme amount of vulcanism which released tons of CO2 into the atmosphere in addition to whatever atmosphere was already there. Those two factors allowed Venus to have such a thick atmosphere that the solar wind barely makes a dent in it.
 
  • #19
I'm confused. I thought that the combination of large mass and strong magnetic field allowed Earth to mostly retain its atmosphere. Mars, being less massive and having a weak magnetic field, had its early atmosphere stripped [science.nasa.gov]. But then why does Venus (with no appreciable magnetic field) have the ultra thick atmosphere? Shouldn't it have been eroded over the billions of years? Is it because Venus is massive enough to hold on to its gases? Or is the atmosphere being replenished by volcanoes?
 
  • #20
Venus does have substantial atmospheric loss. But it's atmosphere is 90 times as dense as the Earth's, so it will take a long time for it to be completely stripped away. I don't think there is much active vulcanism adding more to it. Also, and this is worth mentioning, Venus' atmosphere has high ionization in upper atmosphere from the solar wind itself that protects deep penetration. See the following page:

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atmosphere_of_Venus#Upper_atmosphere_and_ionosphere
 
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  • #21
I don't think it would be too hard to "restart" Mars core and regenerate that protective magnetic field. All you need is something big enough to orbit it; Jupiter has enough moons already, so I don't think it would miss one. This new Martian moon would do three things:

1) It would create tidal forces, which would tug on the mantle and core, creating heat from the friction of the rocks flexing and scraping against each other. This would provide and help maintain the heat needed to keep the iron core molten, which is key to producing a strong magnetic field. (This is what happens to the moon Io as it orbits Jupiter.)

2) Since the crust and mantle would be closer to the Martian Moon, it would affect their rotational speeds more severely than the core's. This would cause the iron core to spin at a different speed than the rest of the planet, thus recreating the ancient dynamo and magnetic field. (This is what happened to the Earth when the Moon was formed.)

3) As with Earth and it's axis, Mars axis would become a much more stable. With the Moon, Earth would become very wobbly and would tilt much more extremely and irradically. Currently, without a moon, Mars is very wobbly on its axis, which would could lead to sever climate swings if it were ever teraformed. With a Martian moon, it wouldn't wobbly so badly, allowing for a more stable environment to be colonized by life.

So, there you have it: all you need to do is send a powerful rocket to one of Jupiter's moons, nudge and aim it into an increasingly elliptical orbit around Jupiter until it final flies off (like swinging your feet on a swing; if you time it just right, you just need a little effort to really get going) towards Mars, steer it into an orbit around it, and BAM! you just got yourself a brand new magnetic shielded planet ready to be colonized!

(And if you don't want to remove one of Jupiter's precious moons, no problem: there is an asteroid belt nearby just waiting for you to pick and choose what left-over asteroids you want to smash and bash together to make a new moon!)
 
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  • #22
That's an interesting definition of "not too hard" ... crunch the numbers and write it up ;)
How big-a tidal stress would you need from the new moon to provide a molten subsurface?
Note: you may want a number of moons to get a tight-enough differential.

While we are thinking on this scale - how about giving the moon a large electric charge (say, by collecting cosmic rays) and putting it in a rapid orbit?
 
  • #23
If you took an object about the size of Ceres (or Ceres itself) and placed it into orbit above Mars at 17,700 Km, then it would have the same tidal effect as Luna has on Earth (also, it would look just as big). Though that would take a lot of time and energy (not to mention, money).
 
  • #24
What about using space tethers, descended from orbit at the poles, to add charge to the core? Would it not begin to rotate as it heated?
 
  • #25
Welcome to PF,
Have you worked out the numbers?
Where does the charge come from?
Why would the charge go only to the core?
How would that heat the core?
Would delivery to just the poles heat just the poles?
What rate of heating would you get by this method?
 
  • #26
instead of destroying or polluting mars, use teslas/haarp's research to create a synthetic ionosphere. afterwards focus on developing an ozone layer (o3). enough ozone should contribute to absorbing solar radiation while evening out the day to night temperature range. after that, focus on nitrogen, breathable oxygen and hydrogen. also I think the rust on Mars can contribute to iron production (I'm not positive though).

plants with chemicals that are useful as sedatives should be grown in Mars colony's greenhouse, insomnia can lead to some pretty messed up psychological issues. I hope they send people that know how to improvise and know what they are doing.
 
  • #27
@imaLo
 
  • #28
iamthesofaking said:
@imaLo
@ImaLooser what I meant to put out there was that Earth and possibly Mars will be uninhabitable in a billion years. my phones screen is on drugs, lol
 
  • #29
"Create a synthetic ionosphere"... numbers?
 
  • #30
Hi guys,
I'm new to this online stuff, but after reading what you all have said, you've forgot one step. Why is it that we have such a high magnetic field and Mars doesn't. Its all about our beginnings. We were much as Mars was in the beginning, about the same mass. Then our sister planet hit us. The Iron and nickel that was in that planet joined with ours and the lighter materials (planet crust) was flung into orbit to produce our moon. The combination of increased mass, higher spin rotation due to collision, and the pull of the moon to slow our rotation made or magnetic field and saved us from the fate of Mars. I'm starting a paper on the possibilities of increasing the mass of Mars core and increasing its radioactive core materials to build a sustainable magnetic field to hold a atmosphere in the future. I'll keep you all posted on what I find.
 
  • #31
kevin retired navy said:
Hi guys,
I'm new to this online stuff, but after reading what you all have said, you've forgot one step. Why is it that we have such a high magnetic field and Mars doesn't. Its all about our beginnings. We were much as Mars was in the beginning, about the same mass. Then our sister planet hit us. The Iron and nickel that was in that planet joined with ours and the lighter materials (planet crust) was flung into orbit to produce our moon. The combination of increased mass, higher spin rotation due to collision, and the pull of the moon to slow our rotation made or magnetic field and saved us from the fate of Mars. I'm starting a paper on the possibilities of increasing the mass of Mars core and increasing its radioactive core materials to build a sustainable magnetic field to hold a atmosphere in the future. I'll keep you all posted on what I find.
[WARNING] Bad english :P
Let's talk about Solar System's History (Theories mixed).
First, Jupiter formed and migrated inward, stripping materials need for a super-Earth's. Then it was pulled out by Saturn.
Without sufficient mass, Mars is rather a small surviving planetsimal with mass of about 1/10 Earth Mass, then it cools down.
Proto-earth during The Giant Collision is more massive than Mars is today (Theia, the sister planet you said, is Mars-sized.) The collision mixed their cores and proto-earth gained it's current density (5.514 g/cm^3).

Actually, if you want to increase a martian core mass, do this:
1. Find a nice, big iron ball. Maybe some more silicates too.
2. Smash it into Mars. This may create a new martian moon in process.
3. Heat it sufficiently until all heavier matter fell down into the core.
4. Cool the planet down.
5. Terraform the result.

This would take millions of years or even more, so I'll suggest everybody read the Lagrange Shield from Orion's Arm.
 
  • #32
Sei said:
[WARNING] Bad english :P
Let's talk about Solar System's History (Theories mixed).
First, Jupiter formed and migrated inward, stripping materials need for a super-Earth's. Then it was pulled out by Saturn.
Without sufficient mass, Mars is rather a small surviving planetsimal with mass of about 1/10 Earth Mass, then it cools down.
Proto-earth during The Giant Collision is more massive than Mars is today (Theia, the sister planet you said, is Mars-sized.) The collision mixed their cores and proto-earth gained it's current density (5.514 g/cm^3).

Actually, if you want to increase a martian core mass, do this:
1. Find a nice, big iron ball. Maybe some more silicates too.
2. Smash it into Mars. This may create a new martian moon in process.
3. Heat it sufficiently until all heavier matter fell down into the core.
4. Cool the planet down.
5. Terraform the result.

This would take millions of years or even more, so I'll suggest everybody read the Lagrange Shield from Orion's Arm.

none of that explains why the Earth has a magnetic field and Mars doesn't, as asked by @kevin retired navy

The lack of a rotating solid inner core within a liquid out core is the main reason for the lack of a magnetic field on mars
Mars maybe once had a field till it's core cooled too much to be able to support continued rotation ( haven't found any info suggesting yes or no to that)Dave
 
  • #33
kevin retired navy said:
Hi guys,
I'm new to this online stuff, but after reading what you all have said, you've forgot one step. Why is it that we have such a high magnetic field and Mars doesn't. Its all about our beginnings. We were much as Mars was in the beginning, about the same mass. Then our sister planet hit us. The Iron and nickel that was in that planet joined with ours and the lighter materials (planet crust) was flung into orbit to produce our moon. The combination of increased mass, higher spin rotation due to collision, and the pull of the moon to slow our rotation made or magnetic field and saved us from the fate of Mars. I'm starting a paper on the possibilities of increasing the mass of Mars core and increasing its radioactive core materials to build a sustainable magnetic field to hold a atmosphere in the future. I'll keep you all posted on what I find.

all that is very highly speculative and you haven't supplied any reliable referencesD
 
  • #34
davenn said:
none of that explains why the Earth has a magnetic field and Mars doesn't, as asked by @kevin retired navy

The lack of a rotating solid inner core within a liquid out core is the main reason for the lack of a magnetic field on mars
Mars maybe once had a field till it's core cooled too much to be able to support continued rotation ( haven't found any info suggesting yes or no to that)Dave
Isn't the outer core solely affect the mangetosphere? I thought it was. Mars's core cooled down and no longer convective while Earth's core is.
 
  • #35
Sei said:
Isn't the outer core solely affect the mangetosphere? I thought it was. Mars's core cooled down and no longer convective while Earth's core is.

it's the interaction between the inner and outer cores of the Earth that generate the magnetic field

from wiki and there are other sources --- some mention the inner core some dont

Earth's core and the geodynamo
A schematic illustrating the relationship between motion of conducting fluid, organized into rolls by the Coriolis force, and the magnetic field the motion generates.[41]
The Earth and most of the planets in the Solar System, as well as the Sun and other stars, all generate magnetic fields through the motion of highly conductive fluids.[42] The Earth's field originates in its core. This is a region of iron alloys extending to about 3400 km (the radius of the Earth is 6370 km). It is divided into a solid inner core, with a radius of 1220 km, and a liquid outer core.[43] The motion of the liquid in the outer core is driven by heat flow from the inner core, which is about 6,000 K (5,730 °C; 10,340 °F), to the core-mantle boundary, which is about 3,800 K (3,530 °C; 6,380 °F).[44] The pattern of flow is organized by the rotation of the Earth and the presence of the solid inner core.[45]
Dave
 
<h2>1. Can we really create a magnetic field on Mars through moon formation?</h2><p>Currently, there is no scientific evidence or technology that suggests we can create a magnetic field on Mars through moon formation. It is a theoretical concept that has not been tested or proven.</p><h2>2. Why do we need a magnetic field on Mars?</h2><p>A magnetic field is crucial for a planet's survival as it protects it from harmful solar winds and radiation. Without a magnetic field, a planet's atmosphere can be stripped away, making it difficult for life to exist.</p><h2>3. How does moon formation lead to the creation of a magnetic field on Mars?</h2><p>The theory suggests that if we were to create a large enough moon on Mars, it could generate enough internal heat to create a dynamo effect, which would then generate a magnetic field. This is similar to how Earth's moon may have helped create our planet's magnetic field.</p><h2>4. What are the challenges of creating a magnetic field on Mars through moon formation?</h2><p>There are several challenges to this concept, including the technological and financial feasibility of creating a large moon on Mars. Additionally, it is uncertain if the moon's internal heat would be sufficient to generate a magnetic field strong enough to protect the planet.</p><h2>5. Are there any alternative ways to create a magnetic field on Mars?</h2><p>Currently, there are no proven alternative ways to create a magnetic field on Mars. However, scientists are researching other potential solutions, such as using artificial magnetic shields or terraforming the planet to make it more habitable.</p>

1. Can we really create a magnetic field on Mars through moon formation?

Currently, there is no scientific evidence or technology that suggests we can create a magnetic field on Mars through moon formation. It is a theoretical concept that has not been tested or proven.

2. Why do we need a magnetic field on Mars?

A magnetic field is crucial for a planet's survival as it protects it from harmful solar winds and radiation. Without a magnetic field, a planet's atmosphere can be stripped away, making it difficult for life to exist.

3. How does moon formation lead to the creation of a magnetic field on Mars?

The theory suggests that if we were to create a large enough moon on Mars, it could generate enough internal heat to create a dynamo effect, which would then generate a magnetic field. This is similar to how Earth's moon may have helped create our planet's magnetic field.

4. What are the challenges of creating a magnetic field on Mars through moon formation?

There are several challenges to this concept, including the technological and financial feasibility of creating a large moon on Mars. Additionally, it is uncertain if the moon's internal heat would be sufficient to generate a magnetic field strong enough to protect the planet.

5. Are there any alternative ways to create a magnetic field on Mars?

Currently, there are no proven alternative ways to create a magnetic field on Mars. However, scientists are researching other potential solutions, such as using artificial magnetic shields or terraforming the planet to make it more habitable.

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