The Planet Mars

Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun and is known as the Red Planet due to the color of it's surface. Mars is thought to have once had an Earth-like atmosphere and surface, complete with lakes, rivers, and oceans, and as many speculate, life. There is ample evidence on the surface of Mars that water once freely flowed throughout the planet. Even today, we find Mars' polar ice caps that grow and shrink with the Martian seasons. There is also an underground store of frozen water that has been found that holds enough water to fill Lake Michigan two times.

Like Earth, Mars has tectonic activity, albeit a much different type of activity. On Earth, tectonic activity occurs by the continental plates moves against each other. On Mars, tectonic activity is driven by lave flow underneath the surface that pushes the plates vertically. The planet has some rather impressive surface features. Mars boasts the largest volcanic mountain in the entire solar system, the Olympus Mons. It is 27km (17 miles) high and 600km (373 miles) wide. The Valles Marineris is a rift in Mars' surface that would stretch from New York to Los Angeles. Carbon dioxide comprises 95% of the Martian Atmosphere followed by 3% nitrogen, 1.6% argon, with traces of H2O and oxygen. There is a fair amount of particulate matter (i.e. dust) in the atmosphere and dust storms are quite common on Mars.

Mars has been the target of many missions, some of which ended in disaster when the spacecraft were never heard of again, such as Mars Climate Orbiter and Mars Polar Lander. Fortunately, there have been some great recent successes, such as the two Mars rovers, Opportunity and Pathfinder. Originally slated for 90 days missions each, but 4 years later, they are still going strong and are exploring Mars. They are analyzing rocks and geologic features.

Martian meteorite ALH 84001 created a stir in the 1990's. Dr. David McKay and his colleagues theorized that there is evidence that bacterial life existed in Mars 3.5 billion years ago. In that meteorite are shapes that appear to be fossilized bacterial.. There are also mineral deposits that Dr. McKay theorizes were left behind by the bacteria. The verdict is still out on this with no real consensus amongst scietntists.

Mars has 2 very small moons, Phobos and Deimos. Mariner 9 got up close and personal with Phobos and Deimon. It spotted a large crater on the surface of Phobos that is 10km (6 miles) wide and is clearly the dominant surface feature. Both Phobos and Deimon keep the same side to Mars, just like Earth's moon.

Panoramic Photo Mars taken by Pathfinder Rover

The Planet Mars - Facts, Information, & Pictures