https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pD8HOAPjSmg

With nothing left but his wits to nourish his soul, astronaut Mark Watney devises a way to nourish his body while stranded on Mars.

He grows a potato garden.

Matt Damon portrays the hero in "The Martian," in theaters now, directed by Ridley Scott and adapted from Andy Weir's wildly popular self-published book of the same name.

Part of "The Martian's" appeal lies in the fact that it is mostly rooted in real-life science. And it is those scientific principles that Watney applies to surviving off spuds grown in Martian soil.

A 2014 study found that crops can grow on the red planet--and the moon too. In fact, last August astronauts in orbit tucked into the first food ever gown in space--romaine lettuce.

But potatoes seem to be the wisest choice for anyone marooned on Mars, says expert Dr. Michael Shara, who adds that "it’s the most bang for your buck in terms of calories." "If you want to keep someone alive, pound for pound, it’s a really good way to go.”