TOP 10 EXTREME ENVIRONMENTS

Future Habitats?

hubble space telescope image solar system nasa

Artist rendition of space settlements of the future. Credit: NASA

As far as we know, life in our solar system is an Earth exclusive. The planet just happens to boast an oxygen-rich layer of moderate temperatures, and it's here that a plethora of different life forms thrive. Some swim in the sea, others stick to the land or take to the sky. Only one of them, however, has decided it can pretty much go anywhere it pleases. Yep, we're talking about humans.

Of course, humans can't really go anywhere they please -- not without the right gear and maybe a closed-environment, pressurized suit or two. There are corners of the world man was never meant to run will-nilly through. Leave the Earth and things get even worse: worlds of fire, landscapes of ice, realms our fragile bodies can't cope with.

But don't let that stop you. If you're game, come with us on a journey to 10 of the most challenging environments in the solar system.

Oh, and you might want to dress in layers.

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