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Tomorrow’s Technology Today
Terraforming
What comes to mind when you think of an extraterrestrial? You may imagine the
small, green beings you see on the covers of science fiction novels. Today, scientists
are beginning to envision a different picture of life in space. Through the process of
terraforming, they hope to someday sustain human life on another moon or planet.
Terraforming
is the alteration of a planet or moon’s surface to make it suitable for
human life. In other words, it is an attempt to make it like Earth. Because the planets
and moons are so diverse, terraforming would be a big challenge. It could take centu-
ries, or even longer, to successfully complete a terraforming project and begin human
habitation in a place other than Earth.
The process of terraforming is currently hypothetical. Many questions need to be
answered before we can even consider such a project. Will a country, several countries
together, a private organization be responsible for the terraforming process? How
much would it cost and who would provide funding? And most importantly, what
planet or moon would be the best candidate for terraforming? Determining which is
most
Earthor
-like would ensure an easier and more successful conversion.of
Atmospheric composition, distance from the Sun, and the presence water are
a few important factors to consider when evaluating a planet or moon’s potential for
terraforming. With a rotation rate and axial tilt similar to Earth, Mars has emerged
as the leading contender. Water is frozen at Mars’ polar caps while carbon, oxygen,
and nitrogen are all present in its atmosphere. However, the atmosphere is very thin,
oxygen levels low, and temperatures significantly cooler than on Earth. Scientists have
suggested several methods to heat the planet, including placing large, sun-reflecting
mirrors on its surface or building factories that would produce greenhouse gases.
Greenhouse gases have proven to raise the temperature on Earth.
Terraforming an entire planet would be extremely costly and time-consuming.
As a result, scientists are now exploring the option of paraterraforming. Paraterra-
forming would transform only a portion of the surface within an enclosed structure.
The structure could then be expanded over time as financial capabilities and knowl-
edge of the terraforming process increase.
Should the Earth ever suffer a major disaster or crippling overpopulation, terra-
forming would offer humans an opportunity to escape and thrive e
lsewhere in the
solar system. Many questions still need to be answered, but scientists move one step
closer every day to establishing human life on other moons and planets.
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Tomorrow’s Technology Today features in
each section highlight an emerging
technology.
C h a p t e r
Technology:
A Dynamic,
Created
SystemHuman-
1
Learning Objectives
After studying this chapter, you will be able to do the following:
Understand the term
technology.
Recall the basic features of technology.
Explain technology as a dynamic process.
Give examples of positive and negative aspects of technology.
Compare science and technology.
Recall the major divisions in the evolution of technology.
Recall technological developments in each of technological history.
Recall characteristics of the information
age.period
Key Terms
artifact
Bronze Age
civilized conditions
development
dynamic process
humanities
Industrial Revolution
information age
Iron Age
Middle Ages
primitive conditions
profit
Renaissance
research
science
Stone Age
technologically literate
technology
Strategic
Reading
Before you read the first chapter, write down what you think the term technology means.
As you read the chapter, see how your perception of the term matches or differs from the
description in the text.
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Learning Objectives identify the topics
covered and goals to be achieved by
students.
Key Terms lists new vocabulary covered in
the chapter, enhancing student recognition
of important concepts.
Strategic Reading features provide students
with questions to think about while reading
the chapter.