Scientists are now proposing a new approach to warm up Earth’s planetary neighbor by pumping engineered particles — similar in size to commercially available glitter and made of iron or aluminum — into the atmosphere as aerosols to trap escaping heat and scatter sunlight toward the Martian surface.

Researchers suggested a new method to warm Mars by injecting engineered nanoparticles into its atmosphere, potentially increasing temperatures by 28°C within a decade. This strategy, focusing on more efficient climate modification, aims to support human habitation while addressing unintended consequences.

A team of researchers led by Edwin Kite from the University of Chicago proposed introducing engineered metallic nanoparticles or nanorods made of iron or aluminum into Mars' atmosphere to trap heat and scatter sunlight, potentially raising the surface temperature by 28-50°C over a decade.

Scientists propose warming Mars by injecting engineered particles, similar to glitter, into its atmosphere to trap heat and scatter sunlight, raising temperatures by about 50 degrees Fahrenheit.