Terraforming Science Fiction

Terraforming means Earth-shaping and refers to the process of engineering a planet, or other body like the moon, to sustain human life. It is a hypothetical process that involves modifying the atmosphere, temperature, topography and ecology of a planet, moon, asteroid, or other celestial body to mimic Earth and support terrestrial life.

The term "terraforming" was coined in 1942 by Sci Fi writer Jack Williamson in his story "Collision Orbit," which appeared in Astounding. However, the concept predates the use of the term. For example, in H.G. Wells' 1898 The War of the Worlds, the invading aliens want to reverse-terraform Earth for their own uses. The setting of a Terraforming Sci Fi story is often Mars because of its proximity to Earth and because of its plausibility. However, other bodies in our solar system have been used as well, like Venus and Jupiter's moon Europa.

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1 Mars trilogy

By Kim Stanley Robinson. A mission is launched to terraform Mars in this scientific epic.
2 The Platform

By James Garvey. Earth is dying and Mars is humanity's hope.
3 Robot series

By Isaac Asimov. Many planets have been terraformed and colonized by a powerful race of humans known as Spacers.
4 The Sands of Mars

By Arthur C. Clarke. Addresses the hard physical and scientific impacts of living on Mars.
5 Last and First Men

By Olaf Stapledon. One of the earliest references to terraforming occurs in this book where electrolysis is used on the global sea of Venus to fabricate oxygen.
6 Venus of Dreams

By Pamela Sargent. A determined female protagonist's single goal is to make the poisonous atmosphere of Venus hospitable to humans.
7 Farmer in the Sky

By Robert A. Heinlein A father and son leave an overpopulated Earth and become colonists on the third moon of Jupiter, Ganymede.
8 The Snows of Ganymede

By Poul Anderson. A member of the Order of Planetary Engineers is sent to survey a distant moon.
9 Moonstar Odyssey

By David Gerrold. An introspective novel where most of the story takes place after the terraforming of a planet in another solar system--however the terraforming events are well laid out.
10 Isle of the Dead

By Roger Zelazny. The protagonist of this story studies to become a telepath and worldscaper--someone who can create and terraform worlds. In this novel, terraforming is an artform.

Other Features of Terraforming Science Fiction

Level of Real Science
High. Terraforming is a scientific endeavor and it is one that scientists have explored readily--NASA has even held debates on the topic.
Level of Grand Ideas/Social Implications
High. The terraforming of an extraterrestrial body presents many philosophical and ethical questions that are explored and addressed in the stories of Sci Fi.
Level of Characterization
Moderate. Characterization may take a bit of a backseat to scientific explanations from time to time, but characters in Terraforming Sci Fi are developed enough to overcome the challenges of living in an alien environment and turn into survivors.
Level of Plot Complexity
Moderate. Works within this sub-genre will spend much time explaining the science and technology involved, which can pull the reader away from the plot and storyline. However, terraforming is a huge project and projects create a sequence of events and a natural plot line.
Level of Violence
Low, usually. The conflicts of Terraforming Sci Fi stories are not violent; they have to do with the challenges of living in an alien environment, adapting, and changing that environment.

Related Science Fiction subgenres

Colonization Science Fiction. Terraforming is often employed prior to human colonization of another planet.
Dystopia/Utopia. Terraforming another planet can be an escape from a dystopian society with the possibility of establishing a utopian society.