Post History

Large-Scale Biosphere on Mars: Interior Weather

I've been researching the idea of spreading out vast **sheets of aerogel across regions of Mars**. This would theoretically have the effect of both warming whatever land is under the sheet - thus melting the permafrost and forming lakes - as well as blocking UV rays.

A dome of such material over a large enough parcel of land would mean that **colonists wouldn't have to live underground**. As long as they remained under the aerogel, their biosphere would simulate being on Earth, albeit with only 38% of our gravity.

Question: What volume within the domed area would be needed to produce **its own weather system**, including rain and/or fog? I'm envisioning an aerogel "roof" over the entirety of Galle Crater (215km diameter).

Thanks in advance!