[samplatt]

Even low gravity will keep your atmosphere close to the surface. What causes atmospheric erosion is solar wind, and the reason Earth isn't affected (much) is that we still have a powerful magnetosphere, powered by our spinning molten iron core.

Mars has a magnetosphere but it's much weaker since its core is cooler and slower and smaller.

If we nuked the polar ice caps (or similar method to warm + evaporate them) it would generate enough of an atmosphere for the external pressure to be livable - maybe even breathable.

Since the magnetosphere is still weak, this atmosphere would be eroded over time, but we're talking tens of thousands of years or more.

[ValleyOfTheMtns]

I read somewhere that installing a powerful magnet at one of the Lagrangian points between Mars and the Sun would be sufficient to shield Mars from the solar winds that strip away the atmosphere.

That would be a far cheaper and less disruptive way of keeping an atmosphere on Mars.

edit: Here you go: http://www.orionsarm.com/eg-article/4851d85e0791b

[MikkoFinell]

> If we nuked the polar ice caps (or similar method to warm + evaporate them) it would generate enough of an atmosphere for the external pressure to be livable - maybe even breathable.

Source?

Even granted that would be possible, it would be an enormous waste. Let's say it's possible to use the polar ice caps to create a breathable atmosphere, why do it for the whole planet instead of using it strategically to pressurize domes where people actually live? Added bonus: The domes provide partial shielding for the radiation on Mars. If you believe the ice on Mars can sustain a breathable global atmosphere for ten thousand years, how long will it last when used in closed systems like domes?

[hndamien]

I guess it means living indoors until we find another Earth candidate which we won't be able to travel to.

[samplatt]

That's fine. I was simplifying for the purpose of illumination. No disagreement on your points.