In the latest sci-fi film from Ridley Scott, the star of the film industry, an astronaut of the future was shown, who first entered the impregnable surface of Mars. The motion picture was filmed in 3D in the style of Marvel’s company. The viewer can see there new, previously unknown examples of computer graphics, with the help of which the director recreates interesting cosmic phenomena, such as the Martian thunderstorm.
The entire film crew and video makers are working directly with leading NASA scientists to create the most accurate picture. We interviewed NASA's leading scientist, Dog Ming, about what he believes about this unusual kind of collaboration.
"In general, I think that something very, very interesting will turn out. We make every effort to recreate everything exactly as it really is."
Does Mars look the same as shown in the movie?
Film: the landscape of the desert expanses of Mars looks very convincing: red stone rocks, vast expanses of rocky sand created from a mixture of digital effects and fragments of filming in Jordan. Does this correspond to what it really is?
Science: “In fact, all the models of the surface of the planet were created on the basis of real photographs of Mars. We have several spacecraft, and they helped us with the pictures. Mars is a planet whose development and change occurs at a fairly fast pace. Especially considering that there is one of the largest volcanoes in the solar system, although there is one valley besides the volcano, and if moved to the United States, it will extend from the East to the West Coast. Video makers have truly done very well oshuyu work by creating as many detailed picture. "
Is it possible to grow potatoes on Mars?
Film: in the film, astronaut Mark Watney (Daimon) plants and grows potatoes on Mars using Martian soil and an improvised irrigation system.
Science: “I already anticipated what could have been done when I came to work at NASA 30 years later,” said Ming, Ph.D. and soil science from the University of Texas. "I’m sure that I could take some soil, like the main character did in the movies, and put potatoes in it, adding water. It could start growing if there was nitrogen somewhere."
Does it work?
Film: to grow his potatoes, Watney fed the plant with solid human waste (feces) both with his own and other cosmonauts. Thus, he was able to provide all the necessary nutrients to the plant, including nitrogen.
Science: "If I were on Mars, I would have done the same thing," said Meing. "We do not do this on Earth, because there is no need for that. Nevertheless, this fact is absolutely real. In addition to feces, you can use urine. It also contains a lot of nitrogen."
Watering the plants
Film: in fact, Mars is a very “dry” planet. To provide water for his potatoes, the protagonist created an improvised watering system, where he burned oxygen from the life support system in his habitat from the remaining spacecraft, where there was hydrogen. Definitely, the first attempt to do something similar ended in failure.
Science: “Yes, you know, this moment seemed to us especially interesting. There is no doubt that hydrogen burns. And if you have a source of oxygen, you can potentially produce water. In theory, it really works, but do it in those conditions which turned out to be the main character, very, very difficult, "said Meing.
Dust storm
Film: Martian dust storms are accompanied by lightning and tornadoes appearing suddenly. Is this really true?
Science: “Yes, the main character is located in one of these areas. Dust storms very often occur there. They can be said to have covered the entire planet. But this phenomenon occurs rather quickly. If we were there in reality, our vehicles could would have foreseen her, and we managed to escape. "
Mars Rover
Film: in the frame of our eye, we often come across a six-wheeled car that looks awfully familiar. Why in the movie all spacecraft and Martian rovers have six wheels?
Science: "The suspension of such ships can move up and down without problems," says Meing. "If a situation happens when one of the wheels suddenly turns out to be not on the earth, then this will not interfere with the work of five others. Absolutely all spacecraft on Mars have exactly 6 wheels. For future manned missions, this thing is very important."
