Mars

The fourth planet from the Sun. Mars orbits the Sun at an average distance of 1.52 times Earth's distance. The planet is about 10 percent as massive as Earth, and a bit more than half as big. It is made of solid, rocky material, and has a thin atmosphere of carbon dioxide. Iron oxide, or rust, on the surface of Mars gives it its characteristic red color. The planet has bright polar ice caps made of frozen water and carbon dioxide. Mars also has two small moons, Phobos and Deimos.

Featured Images

Mars is at opposition in early March 2012, shining brightest for the year
Mighty Mars Saturday, March 3, 2012
Endeavour Crater, winter home of the Opportunity Mars rover
Winter Wonderland Thursday, January 26, 2012
Artist's concept of Curiosity rover on Mars
Ready to Roll Wednesday, November 23, 2011
The Russian Phobos-Grunt Mars mission launches on November 8, 2011
Phobos Flop? Friday, November 11, 2011
Craters fill an ancient river channel on Mars
Martian Rapids Monday, October 10, 2011
Panoramic view of Endeavour crater on Mars, imaged by the Opportunity rover
Final Destination Thursday, August 11, 2011
Possible rivulets of water flowing on Mars
Drippy Planet Monday, August 8, 2011
Rock varnish on a rock from the Atacama Desert
Bacteria Colony? Friday, July 29, 2011

Radio Programs

Mars at Opposition Drawing a map of the solar system Saturday, March 3, 2012
Secret Mars Unlocking the secrets of the Red Planet Friday, March 2, 2012
Mars Mayhem Mars marches across March skies Thursday, March 1, 2012
Warming Mars Warming up a desert planet Sunday, February 19, 2012
More Moon and Mars Scaling the heights of Mars Friday, January 13, 2012
Moon and Mars Watery oases on a desert world Thursday, January 12, 2012
Moon and Mars Molding the image of the Red Planet Friday, December 16, 2011
Mars Science Laboratory III Protecting Mars from alien invaders Thursday, November 24, 2011
Mars Science Laboratory II Sniffing out life on Mars Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Mars Science Laboratory I Plumbing for water on Mars Tuesday, November 22, 2011
More Moon and Companions Settling in on a new world Friday, November 18, 2011
Moon and Companions Spacing out a morning lineup Thursday, November 17, 2011
Mars and Regulus Two old friends in the morning sky Thursday, November 10, 2011
Back in the Game? Staging a return to deep space Thursday, November 3, 2011
Moon and Mars Strolling on alien worlds Thursday, October 20, 2011
Moon and Mars Twin moons under alien skies Thursday, September 22, 2011
More Moon and Jupiter Jumpin' Jupiter! Saturday, August 20, 2011

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