Geoforming Mars

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xxv

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2. Introduction

   • Robert Malcuit

   Pages 1-25

3. The Origin of the Sun and the Early Evolution of the Solar System with Special Emphasis on Mars, Asteroids, and Meteorites

   • Robert Malcuit

   Pages 27-50

4. Models for the Origin of the Current Martian Satellites

   • Robert Malcuit

   Pages 51-74

5. A Prograde Gravitational Capture Model for a Sizeable Volcanoid Planetoid (or Asteroid) for Mars

   • Robert Malcuit

   Pages 75-104

6. A Retrograde Gravitational Capture Model for a Sizeable Satellite for Mars

   • Robert Malcuit

   Pages 105-136

7. A History of a Ruling Paradigm in the Earth and Planetary Sciences That Guided Research for Three Decades: The Giant Impact Model for the Origin of the Moon and the Earth-Moon System

   • Robert Malcuit

   Pages 137-199

8. A History of Satellite Capture Studies As Experienced by the Author: A Chronology of Events that Eventually led to a Somewhat Comprehensive Gravitational Satellite Capture Model

   • Robert Malcuit

   Pages 201-245

9. Comparative Analysis of the Gravitational Capture Potential for the Terrestrial Planets and Planet Neptune

   • Robert Malcuit

   Pages 247-327

10. Discussion of Some Real and/or Theoretical Effects of Captured Satellites on Both Terrestrial Planets and Gaseous Planets

    • Robert Malcuit

    Pages 329-358

11. A Discussion of Three Major Paradigms in the Earth and Planetary Sciences

    • Robert Malcuit

    Pages 359-388

12. Back Matter

    Pages 389-420

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This book offers an exercise in theoretical planetology, presenting five different scenarios to assess the evolution of habitable conditions on Mars to assess planetary terraforming potential and to give insight into the ongoing search for habitable exoplanets. Four of the scenarios involve Martian satellite capture models, in which gravitational capture via tidal deformation and energy dissipation processes are measured to predict a pathway of biological evolution, while the fifth scenario analyzes the possible model that led to the Mars that we have today (i.e. with no life forms). In ten chapters, readers will learn how a Mars-like terrestrial planet can be transformed into a habitable planet, and what conditions must be assessed when searching for exoplanets in a star-centered orbit to support life. The book is intended for planetologists, and general enthusiasts of planetary evolution and our solar system. 

• Terraforming
• Mars by satellite
• Habitable Exoplanets
• Early solar system
• Gravitational capture model
• Theoretical planetology
• Planetary engineering of Mars
• Making Mars habitable
• Making Mars Earth-like
• Modeling habitability on Mars
• Terrestrial planets
• Biological evolution on Mars
• Planetary evolution
• meteorology

• Department of Geosciences, Denison University, Granville, USA

  Robert Malcuit

Dr. Robert Malcuit is Professor Emeritus at Denison University. Though he retired from teaching in 1999, he still pursues research interests in the earth and planetary sciences. His current research pursuits are: (1) gravitational capture potential for planets, (2) explanation of many of the major features of the Earth and Moon, (3) explanation of the major features of planet Venus, (4) explanation of many of the features of the Neptune-Triton system, (5) explanation of several of the unique features of the Earth in terms of a capture origin of the Earth-Moon system and the subsequent evolution of the lunar orbit to the present condition.