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.

Radio Programs

Hardy Bacteria Grinding up rocks to hunt for life Friday, July 29, 2011
Rock Varnish Polishing some Martian rocks Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Moon and Mars Looking for Mars-on-Earth Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Gassy Mars The "gassy" Martian atmosphere Wednesday, June 29, 2011
More Moon and Mars Mars falls on an Egyptian village Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Moon and Mars Greening up the Red Planet Monday, June 27, 2011
Watery Mars Divining for water on Mars Thursday, April 14, 2011
Mars in Conjunction Hiding in the bright sunshine Thursday, February 3, 2011
Moon and Companions Standing between a pair of rivals Sunday, October 10, 2010
Life in the Solar System Looking for life in all the right places Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Family Reunion A family reunion in the evening sky Sunday, August 1, 2010
Moon and Mars Blowing across an alien landscape Thursday, July 15, 2010
Weather "Weathering" the solar system Monday, July 12, 2010
More Moon and Companions Picking up rocks from Mars Thursday, June 17, 2010
Moon and Companions Picking blueberries...on Mars Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Mars and Regulus II Stripping away the Martian atmosphere Monday, June 7, 2010
Mars and Regulus A planet speeds across the sky Sunday, June 6, 2010
Lasers III Getting back at Mars Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Featured Images

Scientists are studying rocks in Chile to learn about possible life on Mars
Looking for Life Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Chile's Atacama Desert is an analog for studying conditions on Mars
Mars on Earth Tuesday, July 26, 2011
The Opportunity rover crosses the Martian plains toward Endeavour crater
Crater Crawling Saturday, April 16, 2011
Image of water distribution in northern hemisphere of Mars
Watery Mars Thursday, April 14, 2011
Ground and orbital views of Opportunity rover at Santa Maria crater
Looking In Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Opportunity rover view of Santa Maria crater
Crater Climbing Thursday, December 30, 2010
A thick dust storm blows across Mars in this image from Mars orbit.
Dusty Skies Monday, July 12, 2010

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