A student discussion
Do the preparation task first. Then listen to the audio and do the exercises.
Preparation
Transcript
Teacher: So you've got a few minutes to discuss with your partner.
Student 1: So, as far as I know, the main similarity between Mars and Earth is that they can both support human life.
Student 2: Yeah, but do we know that's actually true? I mean, Mars is much colder than Earth, isn't it? It says here it's about minus 55 degrees most of the time, whereas on Earth only places like Antarctica get that cold.
Student 1: True. Well then, I suppose you could say both planets are a similar distance from the Sun?
Student 2: No way! Mars is much further away! It says here it's about 228 million kilometres, while Earth is about 150 million.
Student 1: Yes, but in space that's not that far. Jupiter is, like, almost 780 million kilometres. That's why we use astronomical units when we talk about distances in space. Earth is 1 astronomical unit from the Sun and Mars is 1.3. The difference doesn't sound so big when you look at it that way.
Student 2: I see what you mean. Jupiter is 5.2 astronomical units so I guess you're right. What other similarities are there between the two planets?
Student 1: Let's see … not the colour, obviously!
Student 2: Yeah! Earth is called the blue planet and Mars is called the red planet for pretty obvious reasons!
Student 1: Their sizes are pretty different. Mars is about half the size of Earth.
Student 2: What about this? It looks like the days on both planets are almost the same length. Earth's day is 24 hours but Mars's is about half an hour longer.
Student 1: You're right. OK, any other things they both share?
Student 2: I suppose you could say they have water in common.
Student 1: Could you? How?
Student 2: Well, Earth is 70 per cent water and Mars probably had huge oceans in the past. It's just that most of the water there now is probably frozen.
Student 1: Ah, I see. I don't think we can say the air is the same, though. Most of Earth's air is nitrogen and oxygen, but Mars …?
Student 2: Mars doesn't really have air, not compared with Earth. It's got about one per cent as much air as Earth.
Student 1: Right, and it's mostly carbon dioxide.
Student 2: Gravity is another difference. I didn't know this, but Mars has higher gravity than the Moon. But it's much less than on Earth, of course.
Student 1: Oh, yes. It says Mars has about 38 per cent of Earth's gravity.
Teacher: OK, let's see what you've found …
No i don't think so, human beings can't live without oxygen and water.also gravity in Mars makes it difficult to walk to do daily routine as in earh
I don't think so.
Our planet was the only one damaged by the sin, and this set us apart from the other worlds God created, because we sinned, but the other sons of God didn't (there is the fact they can stand before the LORD, as it's registered in Job 1:6). We aren't allowed to know and explore in person the rest of the universe.
The book of Revelation says: "I saw new heaven and new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea." (Revelation 22:1), once God has delivered us from the sin, He will make everything new.
Just imagine it: God Himself will be with us (Revelation 21:3), so we'll probably be allowed to know and explore every part of His creation, including Mars.
After Jesus return, those who choose Him will live is His perfect company forever, on new earth. That's why I believe we won't live on Mars, but probably we will can visit.
If you're curious, you can ask for a Bible study on a Seventh-Day Adventist Church.
Cool
Do you think people will live on Mars one day?
In my opinion, I don't think so. It is not necessary to live on Mars for 2 reasons; first this planet is very far away from earth so the cost to move there will be very high. We should use this money to solve those issues like hunger and malnutrition. Secondly, like it is proven by scientists, there is no oxygen (maybe just a few) on Mars and without oxygene, human life is impossible.
I'm afraid of the universe when I start thinking in the huge universe I feel like a weird feeling I don't know how to describe it, but it is really weird to think about universe and other things like huge stars, big differet planets.
Yes, I think people will live on Mars, but not soon. Because Mars doesn’t have Oxygen, food and water for people’s lives.
Obviously, temperature will need to be changed on Mars and the gravity is low - not comfortable for people.
So it’s hard, but it’s possible to live on Mars.
With all these reasons you've mentioned, you still think that's possible? That's baffling!
I think we could live on Mars, but it won’t happen soon because our technology isn’t advanced enough yet. Maybe around the year 2100, people will invent technologies that will allow us to breathe on Mars and make it suitable for life. Or they will invent special domes where people will be able to live.
The Artemis II mission is an important step in returning humans to the Moon. It will be the first crewed flight in the Artemis program, where astronauts will fly around the Moon and come back to Earth. This mission is important because it tests new technologies and prepares for future landings. It also inspires people and shows that space exploration is still moving forward.
Life on Mars is very different from life on Earth. Mars is much colder and there is almost no air to breathe. There is no liquid water on the surface, which is very important for life. However, scientists think that people might create special habitats on Mars. To my mind in 100 years people will probably live on Mars.