Martian Surface

The fourth planet from the Sun in the solar system. Mars orbits the Sun at an average distance of 1.52 AU. The planet has a mass 0.1 times the mass of Earth and a radius 0.5 times the radius of Earth. 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.

Resources

Mars Mars inspires speculation like no other world in...

Featured Images

Kasei Valles, an ancient flood channel on Mars
Ancient Flood Monday, June 10, 2013
Curiosity rover view of Mount Sharp, March 2013
Sharp Destination Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Curiosity view of Rocknest on Mars
Rocky Home Thursday, November 29, 2012
Early view of the rim of Gale Crater
Inside the Wall Sunday, August 12, 2012
August 8, 2012, view of Mars from the Curiosity rover
Getting Acquainted Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Endeavour Crater, winter home of the Opportunity Mars rover
Winter Wonderland Thursday, January 26, 2012
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
Rock varnish on a rock from the Atacama Desert
Bacteria Colony? Friday, July 29, 2011
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

Radio Programs

Moon and Mars Prime real estate on other worlds Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Sky Crane A complicated landing for a complicated rover Sunday, August 5, 2012
Martian Nuke Powering up a Mars rover Saturday, August 4, 2012
Moon and Mars Listening in to the Red Planet Monday, June 25, 2012
Secret Mars Unlocking the secrets of the Red Planet Friday, March 2, 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 Molding the image of the Red Planet Friday, December 16, 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 Mars Strolling on alien worlds Thursday, October 20, 2011
Watery Mars Divining for water on Mars Thursday, April 14, 2011

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