Re: An item on TV One news showing some women discussing the possibility of going to planet Mars to set up living quarters. Now ladies, here are some facts of the hostile state of mars.

The average temperature is just minus 65 degrees Celsius and almost all of the air – about 95.3 per cent – has carbon dioxide, and 2.7 per cent nitrogen and 1.6 per cent of argon. So the Mars atmosphere is poisonous to life, with air 200 times thinner than earth's air.

Its temperature hardly ever reaches above freezing. The sun's ultra-violet rays beat down with full force, sterilising the ground.

The one-month journey in a spacecraft would be crippling and suicidal – so ladies, forget about going to Mars, as it is absurd and preposterous. Plus the monetary cost is so prohibitive.

No life can exist on the planet full stop.

If you want to do something constructive, concentrate on getting our planet in order, as there is certainly room for improvement.

E Izett, Brookfield.