Mars
Mars is a cold, desert world known as the "Red Planet" because of the iron oxide (rust) on its surface. It's a key focus for exploration due to evidence of ancient rivers, lakes, and oceans.
Equatorial Diameter
6,792 km
Temperature Range
17°C to -140°C
Mass
6.39 × 10^23 kg
Surface Gravity
3.73 m/s²
Rotation Period
1.03 Earth Days
Orbital Period
1.88 Earth Years
Moons
2
Planetary Structure
Like Earth, Mars has differentiated into a dense core, a silicate mantle, and an outer crust. The core is primarily made of iron and nickel but contains about 17% sulfur, which makes it partially liquid. The once-active silicate mantle is now thought to be dormant. The outer crust is rich in useful minerals like silicon, oxygen, iron, and magnesium, which could aid future human outposts.
Scientific Discoveries
- Mars hosts the largest volcano (Olympus Mons) and the largest canyon (Valles Marineris) in the solar system.
- The planet is a focus of intense study, with rovers like Curiosity and orbiters like the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter exploring it.
- Mars has two small moons, Phobos and Deimos, which may be captured asteroids. It is predicted that in 50 million years, Phobos will either crash into Mars or be torn apart to form a ring.
- There is strong evidence that Mars once had a much denser atmosphere and freely flowing surface water, much of which may now be locked away underground.
- Though about half the size of Earth, Mars has similarities like polar ice caps and an axial tilt that creates seasons, although they last about twice as long.
- Mars can easily be seen from Earth with the naked eye due to its reddish coloring, and at certain points in its orbit, it can briefly match the brightness of Jupiter.