The Mars in Poul Anderson's "Un-Man" neither has a humanly breathable atmosphere nor is completely lifeless. It is an intermediate case with sparse life and rare natives. Martian organisms survive long cold nights and winters by slowing down their metabolisms to almost zero so it makes sense first that a human researcher of such organisms will find a way to develop suspended animation and secondly that Terrestrial factions will contend to control such a discovery.
We know that a man called Stefan killed Reinach in "Marius" and also that a man called Stefan Rostomily has died on Mars in "Un-Man." We will learn more. Onward.
4 comments:
That's a reminder of how little was definitely known about Mars (or the other planets of the Solar System) in the early 1950's.
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
Robert Zubrin's book, THE CASE FOR MARS, gives us a detailed description of conditions on Mars and how Musk's hoped for "Barsoom" colony could use the resources there to survive and prosper.
Ad astra! Sean
Well, yes, Martian. colonization is possible. But abundant (or even sparse) life on Mars has become increasingly unlikely as we learn more about the place.
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
I agree. I am not claiming Mars still has life. But I hope human colonists can bring life to Barsoom.
Ad astra! Sean
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