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

Summer Days Friday, July 4, 2008
Digging In Monday, June 9, 2008
Dropping In Tuesday, May 27, 2008
First Glimpse Monday, May 26, 2008
Phoenix Descending Saturday, May 24, 2008
Icy Landing Thursday, May 22, 2008
Danger Zone Friday, March 7, 2008
Magnificent Mars Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Christmas Lights Friday, December 21, 2007
Martian Dust-Up Sunday, November 25, 2007
Going In Friday, September 28, 2007
Ocean Planet Monday, September 3, 2007
Mars Bound Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Radio Programs

More Moon and Mars Digging into a watery past Friday, February 15, 2008
Moon and Mars Love and war in the night sky Thursday, February 14, 2008
Moon and Mars Two beat-up worlds Saturday, January 19, 2008
Mars Shines Bright Following a fading planet Monday, January 14, 2008

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