The richest person in the world, Elon Musk, is fervently pursuing the dream of establishing a self-sustaining city on Mars. His vision aims to have a million people inhabiting this Martian settlement by the year 2050. Musk envisions this endeavor not only as a crucial Plan B for Earth but also as an exciting venture that can inspire humanity. The idea of traveling to Mars has been a captivating theme in space exploration narratives for decades, influenced by figures like German rocket innovator Wernher von Braun and esteemed science fiction authors such as Ray Bradbury and Kim Stanley Robinson.
Numerous scientific and cultural factors motivate the exploration of Mars. The discovery of water beneath the planet's surface and ice at its poles indicates that conditions conducive to sustaining life may have existed on the Red Planet and might still be present today. Studying Mars offers valuable insights into the emergence of life on Earth. While robotic rovers have made significant advancements in uncovering the planet's mysteries, human exploration could accelerate these discoveries exponentially.
However, living on Mars poses numerous challenges for humans. These include exposure to cosmic and solar radiation, an inhospitable atmosphere, lower gravity compared to Earth, extreme temperatures, toxic soil, and a lack of immediate resources such as food, drinkable water, or breathable air. Despite these hurdles, our cultural and scientific fascination with Mars remains robust. If Musk's SpaceX or any competitor successfully lands humans on Mars in the near future, it will mark the realization of an ancient dream.
The obsession with Mars can be traced back to a time when an optical illusion led some astronomers to believe that the planet was crisscrossed with canals created by intelligent extraterrestrials. Recently, Today, Explained co-host Sean Ramewaram engaged in a conversation with David Baron, the author of The Martians: The True Story of An Alien Craze that Captured Turn-of-the-Century America, discussing the belief in intelligent Martian life and the enduring fixation on Mars that has captivated generations of scientists, writers, and tech moguls.
The allure of Mars has seeped into our collective consciousness, encapsulating a sense of mystery and romance. Over a century ago, many believed that Mars was home to intelligent beings. In 1906, the New York Times published serious discussions about Martian civilization, while the Wall Street Journal touted proof of intelligent life on Mars as the biggest news of 1907. The notion of Martians was so prevalent that it sparked widespread public interest and scientific debate.
The genesis of this belief dates back to 1877 when Italian astronomer Giovanni Schiaparelli mapped Mars and observed what he thought were waterways, which he termed “canali.” This Italian term was mistakenly translated into English as “canals,” fueling public imagination. Percival Lowell, an American astronomer, later popularized the idea that these canals were essential for Martian survival, theorizing that they were part of an irrigation network created by Martians to cope with dwindling water resources.
By 1908 and 1909, the idea of Martians had reached its peak. Influential figures, including Alexander Graham Bell and Nikola Tesla, expressed their belief in intelligent life on Mars. This fascination permeated popular culture, with Martians showcasing in vaudeville performances and Broadway shows, and songs like “A Signal From Mars” capturing public enthusiasm.
However, by the 1910s, astronomers began to debunk the canal theory, asserting that it was unfounded. Despite this, the belief in Martian canals persisted into the 1950s and 1960s, even leading to public panic during Orson Welles' famous "War of the Worlds" radio broadcast in 1938, when some listeners genuinely feared a Martian invasion.
Reflecting on the early 20th-century obsession with Mars, Baron notes that the hope for cooperation among humans, inspired by the belief in Martians, remains a compelling idea today. However, the likelihood of uniting as a human race to achieve Mars colonization appears slim. While competition, particularly with nations like China aiming for Mars, may drive efforts to reach the planet, the dream of creating a utopian society on Mars persists.
Baron illustrates two key lessons from the Martian craze: first, the tendency to project our aspirations onto Mars rather than acknowledging its realities; and second, the notion that enthusiasm for the unknown can inspire future generations to innovate and explore. If humanity is to embark on the journey to Mars, it is crucial that we start laying the groundwork now.
