northaviator t1_j8qzk5u wrote on February 16, 2023 at 9:16 AM

Reply to comment by Pornelius_McSucc in Terraforming a magnetosphere possible? by Pornelius_McSucc

I was thinking they could build large domes because the Martian atmosphere is 1% of Earths and its gravity is 40% of ours, think of the architecture one could come up with, radiation and perchlorates considered.

danielravennest t1_j8tnmlx wrote on February 16, 2023 at 9:36 PM

Sea level pressure under a dome on Mars produces a lifting force of 27 tons per square meter. That's the equivalent of 10 meters of solid rock. If your dome is lighter than that, it will be trying to pop off the foundation and has to be either tied or weighted down.

northaviator t1_j8yh52r wrote on February 17, 2023 at 9:18 PM

Foundation, will be critical, what if the pressure was kept to around 10000 ft.

danielravennest t1_j91b0ti wrote on February 18, 2023 at 1:59 PM

No. Lightweight domes as is often shown in artist's illustrations are dumb. Make the domes heavy enough to stay put on the foundation and they double as radiation protection.