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.

Featured Images

Ground and orbital views of Opportunity rover at Santa Maria crater
Looking In Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Over the Rim Friday, December 31, 2010
The Opportunity rover casts it shadow on the rim of a Martian crater
Martian Robot Wednesday, December 29, 2010
The next Mars rover, Curiosity, zaps a Martian rock with a small laser in this a
War of the Worlds? Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Martian 'Canali' Sunday, March 14, 2010
A Hole in Mars Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Martian Tattoo Monday, November 2, 2009
Dirty Secrets Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Radio Programs

Living in Space III Keeping tidy on other worlds Thursday, September 16, 2010
Life in the Solar System Looking for life in all the right places Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Mars and Regulus II Stripping away the Martian atmosphere Monday, June 7, 2010
Lasers III Getting back at Mars Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Moon and Mars Getting familiar with a neighbor Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Moon and Mars Just talking about the weather Wednesday, March 24, 2010

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