Mark Stevenson/Stocktrek ImagesGetty Images

Earlier this week, SpaceX founder Elon Musk explained on Twitter that in order to colonize Mars, we would have to support life in glass domes at first before we eventually, terraformed [Mars] to support life, like Earth.

This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Musk, as has been well established, wants to realize his dream of making humans a multiplanetary species and build the first colony on Mars by 2050. To make the Red Planet habitable for life, Musk has previously suggested terraforming Mars by nuking the planets ice-capped poles. But now, perhaps after realizing such a plan would require nearly the entire worlds supply of nuclear warheads to accomplish, Musk is taking a more sensible approach to colonization.

You love Elon Musk's crazy ideas. So do we. Let's nerd out over them together.

Musk continued in the same thread:

This may be a good pivot for Musk, because the science isn't exactly on his side. Studies have shown that even with the right firepower, there simply isnt enough of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide available on Mars to create an atmosphere capable of supporting life on the surface.

This content is imported from {embed-name}. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

This isnt the first time Musk has mentioned using glass domes as habitats on the Red Planet. In a 2016 Reddit AMA, Musk said glass panes with carbon fiber frames could be used to build geodesic domes on the Martian surface, while mining droids could build pressurized caves underground for industrial operations.

More recently, Musk laid out his plans to build a city on Mars in a livestream event last month. He stressed the idea of a Martian colony being fully self-sufficient in case support from mothership Earth would somehow be cut off.

Gskyer AZ Astronomical Refractor Telescope

With more than19,000 reviews on Amazon and a 4.4/5 rating, it's not hard to see why the Gskyer telescope is a fan favorite. This option features a 70mm aperture and fully coated optimal lensesto offer a crisp, clear view of the night's sky. Tech savvy stargazers will appreciate wireless remote, smart phone adapter, andthe additionalBarlow lens that triples the magnification of each eye piece.Thanks to its adjustable, aluminum alloy tripod, this telescope is suitable for every member of the family.

HEXEUM Telescope 70500

HEXEUMamazon.com

If you're looking for a telescope for kids, or if you're a beginner, this HEXEUM model is a high-quality choice. It comes with an 70mm aperture, plus two eyepieces at 10mm and 25mm each. You'll particularly love that this telescope comes with a phone adapter, which means you can attach your phone to the eyepiece and finally get an amazing photo of the night sky.

ECOOPRO 70mm Astronomy Refractor Telescope

Easy to set up and compact, this telescope comes with a 70mm aperture, two eye pieces, a finder scope, and a tripod. Perfect for astrology or even bird watching, you can set it up on a tabletop with the tripod set to 15 inches, or extend the legs as long as 47 inches. It also comes with a map of the moon and stars for easy reference.

ESSLNB Kids' Telescope

ESSLNBamazon.com

ESSLNB'stelescope is a great choice for kids or beginners. Itfeatures abuilt-in reversing lens, which means that none of the images you see will ever be upside down. Its 70mm lens gives you a wide range of vision, and the telescope's brightness makes everything easy to see. Plus, you can connect your phone and finally take a decent picture of the night sky.

Emarth Telescope

amazon.com

Beginner stargazers will find a lot to love aboutEmarth's Telescope.Using it iseasy:All you need to do is point the tube in the direction of the desired object and take a gander. With two high-quality eyepieces (70mm and 360mm) that provide low- and high-power views of celestial objects, you'll be able to satisfyyour stargazing wishes with ease.

NASA Lunar Telescope for Kids

amazon.com

Consider NASA Lunar Telescopethe perfect option for avid adventurers or kids who are yearning to spontaneously stargaze. Clocking in at a little over two pounds, this option is lightweight enough to stow in the trunk of your car. This telescope features a multi-coated, extra-low dispersion optical glass to ensure you'll score a clear, perfectly contrasted view of the night's sky.

Celestron 60 DX Portable Telescope

Great for beginners (and priced accordingly), this option features a wide, 60 millimeter aperture that will make stars and constellations appear bright and clear. With two eyepieces8mm to20mmit's suitable for a range of stargazing experiences. To top it off,the telescope comes with a tripod, a smartphone adapter,afinder scope, and a travel case.

The acid test, really, is, if the ships from Earth stop coming from any reason, does Mars die out? Musk told interviewer Robert Zubrin during the event. For any reason. It could be banal, or it could be nuclear armageddon, he added.

In the interview, Musk claimed a fully self-sustaining city would need around 1 million inhabitants and require 1 million tons of cargo. But if Musk plans to transport that much cargo, hes going to need a bigger ship.

SpaceX is currently developing its next generation of reusable rocket, dubbed the Starship. The fully-reusable spaceship is designed to carry 150 tons or 100 people into orbit and have the capability of refueling in space. Starship uses the powerful Raptor Vacuum engine, which is specifically designed to operate in the vacuum of space and use fuels that can be refined on Mars.

Musk has said one of the first colonization missions to Mars would carry equipment to build a refueling station on the surface, with Starship acting as an initial habitat. Musk claimed in the livestream that the first crewed Starship missions could launch as early as 2026. Although a prototype of the spacecraft recently completed a successful 500-foot hop, the experimental rocket has a history of going boom.

If Musk does accomplish his dream, who can tell what life may be like on Marss first colony? But based on Musks previous sentiments, it may look a lot like the Wild West. When asked in the same Twitter thread about what laws and society might exist on the new Martian colony, Musk replied, Let the Martians decide their own future.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io

See the original post:

Elon Musk Terraforming Mars: He Says We Need 'Glass Domes ...