Just How Scientifically Accurate Is 'The Martian'?

The upcoming film 'The Martian' is making a huge splash for both scientists and science fans, but how scientifically accurate is it?

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“When humans will settle on the moon or Mars they will have to eat there. Food may be flown in. An alternative could be to cultivate plants at the site itself, preferably in native soils. We report on the first large-scale controlled experiment to investigate the possibility of growing plants in Mars and moon soil simulants.”

"The Martian" opens in theaters October 2, 2015.
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[ThecreeperKiller]

I would go to mars, I wouldn't survive but I would be remembered, As the first person to die on mars.

[alexanelon]

I'd be ok, I'm alone most of the time anyway.

[nicholasfornshell]

Andy Weir is a freaking genius. He is a software engineer yet throughout his adolescence he worked in a laboratory. The book was amazing and the amount of science within it is mind boggling. It just goes to show how passionate the science community is:)

[Shefetoful]

Brain can handle being alone in space for months? Some people live alone with literally 0 human contact for years without going crazy.

[LoneTiger]

If Matt Damon hadn't been a jerk genius on Interstellar they wouldn't have left him behind on The Martian. :)

[katiebrown]

Great book...I'm really excited for the movie!

[brayingmulewithnofree-will]

Why go to Mars? Shouldn't we try setting up a moon base first? It'd seem more probable to me to do so.

[uniqnefreak]

well the book is very accurate apart from almost completely ignoring radiation.

[agentswiss_techlp]

what if this becomes like destiny where we send people to mars and find an alien device that allows us to completely advance allowing 300 year life span and colonizing the moon mars and venus this would be awesome

[Cardsplayerlife]

I loved this video up until the last part where you linked to the conspiracy theory video on aliens. Why would you be sponsored by or link to such a video? It is completely opposite to the scientifically sound videos you provide here.

[TheNightWatcher]

As a hardcore introvert, having a whole planet to myself sounds like heaven. Though I would eventually wanna talk to someone.

[CbinRs]

95% of the book was amazing. Then he ruined it with the ending. I HATE how he just ended the book. Like he didn't even try. It felt like he said to himself "I'm done" and just finished on that page. There was so much more he could have done. I hope the movie makes the ending better.

[eunomiac]

Did... did DNews just link to conspiracy hoohah? For fuck's sake, is _nothing_ sacred?

[rons]

I've seen this movie, he was rescued by Anne Hathaway and the other guy.

[emagdali]

What's your deal, Mat? We sent a team to return you back in your family when your brothers died at the WW2. We sent a team through a god damn wormhole to save you from an abandoned planet. Now we send a team to save you from the fucking Mars? Stand still for a minute ffs.

[HaoSci]

On Mars, dust storms may reach wind speeds of 120 miles per hour (190 km/h), but atmospheric pressure was determined to be too low for wind to cause significant damage.[34][36]

[bloodandwinearered]

I rarely go to the movies, but this looks interesting.

[SecretSickle]

In the book, Mark Watney uses his shit to grow plants. That's how. Science.

[fightwhales]

Great video! Can't wait for the movie! Loved the book, it is literally one of my favorites!

[SomeDudeOnline]

So, I have a feeling NASA wasn't thrilled with the way the movie actually turned out. The gravity on Mars in the movie was identical to the gravity on Earth, there was a sandstorm that knocked over an ascent vehicle, and there was no explained protection from the radiation.