<div align="center"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: impact;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 36pt;">MARS COLONY</span></span></div><br/><div align="center">(http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/247274main_S_015IFF_CYLTST11E1C_RABCM1_hsv_crop3.jpg)</div><br/><strong>The Surface of Mars</strong><br/><br/>The surface of Mars is a hostile and forbidding place. The atmosphere is thin, being about one hundredth the density of Earth's and is composed mainly of carbon dioxide gas. It is unbreathable. There is virtually no precipitation, no free water. The thin atmosphere allows storm winds to approach velocities of up to 320 kph. The gravity is low, about one third of Earth.<br/><br/>These two factors allow the creation of vast dust storms that have been known to blanket half the world for days on end. The wind itself is not the problem as it would have the force of a moderate breeze on Earth. The problem is the dust, which reduces visibility to zero and will clog moving parts.<br/><br/>Add to this the fact that on a hot day in mid summer on Mars, the temperature can reach the dizzying heights of zero degrees Celsius and in winter can plunge to minus ninety, and you have a lethal environment.<br/><br/>Anyone venturing onto the surface MUST be in an environment suit.