实现向金星移民的可能性与可行性（约二十四、五年前写的一篇自我感觉尚可的英语作文）武夷山 The Possibility and the Feasibility of Realizing Man’s Emigration to Venus WU Yishan A famous futurist has remarked that it is the instinctive aspiration of the human race to wish to live in the past and in the future. I, as an anxious knowledge pursuer, would add that it is also the instinctive aspiration of the human race to wish to live both on Earth and in space. Man has achieved such a splendid feat as landing on the Moon, which shows how great man’s potential is of coping with (I would not say “conquering” ) the Nature. Many scientists have been working on a variety of gigantic projects that would somewhat satisfy these aspirations. Moreover, this century has seen an increasing pressure on man to solve the explosive population growth problem, and the emigration to other planets in the solar system might be a better or even the only alternative to the usual solutions of the problem. Therefore, scientists are obliged to carry out researches of such a nature. Up to now, someone has brought to light one attractive, promising colony—Venus. As we all know, transportation of people from Earth to other planets, or the travel itself, has almost been within the reach of modern technology. What we have to think about seriously is rather how to choose a planet where people would be able to adapt themselves and survive. The reason why Venus interest us is that, primarily, it is almost the same size as the Earth is. So it would not be too crowded when we populate this planet. Secondarily, it moves in the inner orbit nearest to our earth, so it is hotter than the latter. We all understand that reducing heat is easier than increasing it so far as today’s technology is concerned. The problem, then, is lies in how to make Venus cooler. An American scientist, Carl Sagan, suggested that it is possible to create on Venus an environment somewhat similar to that of earth through firing rockets that contain a particular species of algae capable of living there if they are bred in conditions analogous to those on it, and once they begin to multiply and produce oxygen, the atmosphere around it will change by degrees until the amount of oxygen in it is sufficient to bring about precipitation on that sphere. Several years may be needed to modify the surface conditions of Venus so that it is suitable for human habitation before man can finally set foot on it. It is needless to say that man has a lot to do to make the bright idea narrated above a reality. We would have to consider the way rockets should be fired, either randomly or at selected spots to ensure better growth of the algae. We would have to consider the problem of how to get the first colonists prepared so that they could adapt to their new environment efficiently. A more vigorous and intense training than that given to astronauts may also be necessary to accustom them to very long exposure to light and darkness so as to fit them into a pattern of work and rest in days sixty times longer than earth days. We would have to consider about establishing a perfect transport system capable of supplying all necessities to our first residents on Venus at the early stage of emigration, and their timely, safe withdrawal in cases of any unforeseen contingency, and so on and so forth. But we can say certainly that the wisdom of the human race is such that no obstacle can mar man’s advance once he puts his shoulders to the wheel. History has time and again proved man’s mastery over nature, and the conquest of Venus is no exception. We are now at the threshold of the 21st century. In spite of the fact that we are facing a world full of problems of all shades today, we are still optimistic of our future. Our confidence lies in the progress we have made in science and technology. Our effort to emigrate to Venus is but another milestone ahead. We will make it in good time.

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