here http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/handout-photo-provided-NASA-taken-April-12-2010-Hubble-Space/photo//110110/480/urn_publicid_ap_org53a6854c568545baa8da6270e4b17d4b//s:/ap/20110110/ap_on_sc/us_sci_space_blob;_ylt=ArTdkcNpNDBRUiomClM0sH9xieAA;_ylu=X3oDMTE5bXJiMDhnBHBvcwMxBHNlYwN5bl9yX3RvcF9waG90bwRzbGsDdGhpc2hhbmRvdXRw#photoViewer=/110111/photos_sc_afp/16e08128ad7d29628c6640a4c56c03d2 and then saw this on picture number 8 featuring Mars!
"This undated file photo taken by the NASA Hubble Space Telescope shows the planet Mars. Two scientists are proposing we send volunteers to Mars and leave them there. They say the mission would mark the beginning of long-term human colonization of Mars, with numerous follow-up trips. The colleagues contend one-way missions could happen a lot quicker and cheaper, and it is essential to begin colonizing another planet as a hedge against a catastrophe that makes Earth uninhabitable."
Woah! I wanted to ask any astronomy minded folks out there who are in the know if they have heard this before. If yes can you comment further on it and what the proposed plan would actually be with the leaving of the volunteers? On the one hand I find this very exciting. Think of the knowledge that will be gained by having actual people on the surface to observe, take measurements etc, but on the other hand, it reminds me of all those Sci-Fi movies where they try to colonize Mars and things go terribly wrong.
Any one want to discuss?:)