Wild Tobago

Anjani Ganase considers space exploration and what it would take to colonise Mars   We have been fascinated with the exploration of space, but our ability to explore is only made possible by the comforts that planet Earth has afforded us.     Most astronauts that go out to space become even more appreciative of the world that has evolved to one rich in life in the vast and barren endlessness of space. While conversations of colonising another planet may seem glamorous and visionary, the reality of harsh foreign environments not made for earthlings and zero resources implies a life dedicated to survival and still completely dependent on Earth’s resources.   What do we need to survive on any planet? Here are the main ingredients for life – essential elements carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphur and of course water as the major solvent and medium for transport. Everything from us to trees to corals are built on carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus. We use c...

Home for human beings is planet Earth: we were formed by conditions here even as we are now affecting the climate. Scientific explorations aside, Dr Anjani Ganase asks us to appreciate why there may be no other planet so perfectly suited to human life. Recently scientists discovered a planet outside our solar system that rained iron owing to extremely hot temperatures that soared to 2400 degrees Celsius. Yet, even within our own solar system, the other planets have extreme weather patterns and atmospheric conditions that are very different from our planet. Considering the environment of Earth -     20 % oxygen and 78 % nitrogen, 24 hour day cycles, mild temperature ranges and a protective atmosphere - will quickly highlight how much we are adapted to our unique environment as well as help us to understand how rare our unique environment is. The resources needed to adapt and the feasibility of living elsewhere at least as comfortably as we live on Eart...