By BrainFall Staff - Updated: April 1, 2024
The Red Planet. Isolated. Desolate. Extreme cold. And, at least for now, no Starbucks. Could you handle the challenges and the loneliness when help is millions of miles away? Take the quiz and find out!
How Long Would You Last On Mars?
Imagine strapping on your space boots and stepping onto the rusty red surface of Mars, our solar system's famous 'Red Planet'. Sure, rovers have been playing in the Martian dirt for years, and NASA has a whole section of their website dedicated to those robotic missions, but what about you? With no 7-Eleven around the corner or oxygen in the air, you're the real-life Mark Watney, sans the potatoes. It's a thrilling notion, but as you stand on this alien world, over 30 million miles from Earth, a question bubbles up: Just how long would your space-suited self actually last?
The Martian environment isn't exactly what you'd call hospitable. With temperatures that would give your home freezer a run for its money—and then some—it's not geared for human habitation. You're dealing with everything from frigid nights that would make a polar bear shiver to a lack of breathable air. Oh, and let's not forget about the radiation that's running rampant because Mars essentially tells its magnetic field and atmosphere, "I'm not in the mood to deal with solar radiation today." Tough luck for any aspiring Martian.
But hey, let's say you're the optimistic type, thinking a snazzy space suit and some good ol' Earth grit will let you hang out for a while. Well, the universe loves a trier, doesn't it? So why not see just how you'd fare in this cosmic endurance trial? Strap in and prepare for a ride that's out of this world, because who knows? Maybe you're the hardy type, cut out for a Martian escapade. If curiosity is killing the space cat, take a quiz here to gauge just how well you'd stack up on our crimson neighbor.
Surviving the Martian Madness
If you think tripping in the desert on Earth is a hoot, wait until you get a load of what Mars has in store for you. From donning the equivalent of a walking refrigerator to finding dinner plans that don't involve Martian rocks, it's fair to say Mars throws a curveball or twelve.
Bundling Up for the Red Dust Bowl
You'll need to wear your thermal undies on Mars because the average jolly holiday there involves temperatures that'd make a polar bear shiver. We're talking an average of -80°F with summer spikes to a balmy 70°F right around the equator. Don't let that warm patch fool you though, Apple Maps won't help when you're trying to navigate the dust storms that can engulf the entire planet.
Taking a Deep Breath? Good Luck!
As for the air up there—or rather, lack of it—Martian atmospheric pressure stands at a whopping 0.6% of Earth's. That means no casual deep breaths unless you fancy feeling like an overcooked spaghetti noodle. You'll be relying on your trusty spacesuit to keep your body from deciding to emulate a vacuum-sealed bag of chips.
Martian Culinary Delights or Lack Thereof
Space MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) will be your besties as the planet scores a solid zero on Michelin stars for its lack of oxygen and water to grow your favorite Earth treats. Your culinary creativity will be boundless when trying to spice up an endless parade of pre-packed food. Spoiler alert: ketchup won't be your salvation here.
Navigating the Great Big Sandy
Getting around Mars isn't like hailing a cab in downtown Manhattan. You need a vehicle that laughs in the face of extreme cold, dust, and the kind of surface undulations that make San Francisco's hills look like a kiddie slide. The gravity is lower too, so at least you can dream of nailing that Michael Jordan dunk, even if it's just hopping out of your rover.
The Day-to-Day of Martian Living (or Trying To)
Congratulations, future Red Planet inhabitant! You're about to embark on the ultimate off-world adventure. But before you do, let's walk you through the peculiarities of the Martian daily grind, where every sol is a new frontier in calendar gymnastics and gravity-defying experiences.
Martian Calendar: How to Plan Your Week on Mars
On Mars, you’d better love weekends because you're getting extra time whether you like it or not. A Martian day, or sol, lasts a leisurely 24 hours, 39 minutes, and 35 seconds. That means your week stretches out longer than you'd expect, leaving you with an abundance of time to ponder, "What day is it again?". You'll need to synchronize your Earthly habits to fit the Martian rhythm—an organizer with space for "Sol 1, Sol 2...Sol 8?" might just be your new best friend.
- Monday on Earth: 24 hours
- Sol-day on Mars: 24 hours 39 minutes
And since we're speaking of weeks, let's not forget Mars takes nearly twice as long to orbit the sun, meaning you’ll experience almost two Earth years’ worth of seasons for every Martian year. A prolonged winter, indeed. Break out the space cocoa and Martian mittens!
Staying Grounded When You Weigh Less
Floating through your chores may sound like a dream, until you realize that on Mars, it's the daily reality. With gravity just about 38% that of Earth's, you'll feel as light as a feather—or a light feather, to be precise. Walking turns into bouncing, and every step is a small leap for a human, a casual jaunt for humankind. Your Earth muscles will be living the easy life, so don't skip leg day before blasting off.
Now, how will your lighter self keep up with day-to-day activities when you could just flutter away with every gust of Martian wind? Exercise becomes more than just staying fit—it’s about staying put. You'll be strapping on those weighted boots just to take out the trash!
And remember, fair Martian, should you ever tire of your extended weekends and gravity-defied acrobatics, you can always see how you'd fare in other astronomical locales by taking a trusty Brainfall quiz. Because who doesn't love a cosmic reality check?
