14 horrible things that could happen if we colonize Mars

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20th Century Fox

Screenshot from 'The Martian' official trailer

In "The Martian," the film based on Andy Weir's bestselling novel that hit theaters Friday, Matt Damon plays an astronaut stranded on Mars.

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From the extreme cold to the deadly radiation, there are many traits about Mars that make it inhospitable.

Here are some of the main obstacles to surviving - and colonizing - the fourth rock from the sun.