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Mars is the seventh largest planet in the Solar System.
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Known as the Red Planet, Mars is characterized by its red, dusty
landscape.
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In observation of Mars seasonal changes and river channels on the
surface, many scientists hoped for a possibility of Martian life. They
speculated that the composition of Mars' was similar enough to Earth to
support life. However, the atmosphere on Mars is very different than
Earth's, with only small amounts of life supporting oxygen and water.
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The atmosphere on Mars is very thin, composed mainly of carbon
dioxide(95%), nitrogen(2.7%), and argon(1.6%), with traces of oxygen
and water.
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Mars has polar ice caps, composed of solid carbon dioxide, that advance
and retreat with the changing seasons.
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Temperatures on Mars vary from a maximum of 0 degrees C (32 degrees F)
to minimum -100 degrees C (-148 degrees F).
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The terrain on Mars is complex and varied, with deep canyons,
mountains, volcanoes, and craters. Olympus Mons, the largest mountain
in the Solar System, stands on Mars with an altitude of 24 km (78,000
feet) with a base that is 600 km across. Valles Marineris is a system
of canyons that stretch out over the surface of Mars for nearly 2,500
miles (4000 km). The canyons can get up to 200 km wide and 6 km deep in
some areas.
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Erosion and river channels on the surface of Mars revealed that there
was once large amounts of water on the planet. There were river systems
and possibly lakes and oceans on the planet over 4 billion years ago.
This evidence has lead scientists to believe that Mars at one time may
have supported life billions of years ago.
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Mars was first visited by the Mariner 4, in 1965, which transmited 22
pictures of the Martian surface back to Earth. The pictures revealed
that there was no water or life on the cold surface, shattering hopes
to find life on Mars. There has been no proof to date that there was
ever life on Mars.
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Mars has two small satellites named Phobos and Deimos.
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Mars is the god of war in Roman mythology.
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