You are here

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 February 10, 2016

Radio Programs

Moon and Mars Making Mars a little cozier April 24, 2022

A Debate Continues A scientific debate drags on August 6, 2021

Mars and Venus Punching holes in two planets July 10, 2021

Moon and Mars Splashing into Martian pools January 20, 2021

Moon and Mars A hotspot on the Red Planet July 10, 2020

Moon and Mars Layers and layers of ice June 11, 2020

Mars Equinox A new season for the Red Planet April 7, 2020

More Moon and Planets A small planet with giant features March 17, 2020

Moon and Mars The Red Planet gets wet October 25, 2019

Twin Mariners Missing out on the good stuff August 4, 2019

Moon and Mars Digging the Moon and Mars March 10, 2019

Moon and Mars Digging deep valleys on Mars February 10, 2019

More Moon and Mars Digging deep into the Martian surface June 3, 2018

Tharsis Ridge Scaling the Martian heights May 23, 2018

Moon and Mars “Hot spots” on the surface of Mars May 5, 2018

Moon and Mars A long period of quiet on Mars October 16, 2017

Looking for Canals Looking for Martian canals August 3, 2017

Moon and Planets Climbing through Martian history February 28, 2017

Featured Images

volcanoes at Tharsis Ridge, Mars

Volcanic Mars February 18, 2022
view of mars odyssey in orbit

20-Year Odyssey October 24, 2021

Looking Around July 9, 2021
First view from China's rover

Ready to Rove May 21, 2021
elevation map of mars

Martian Dichotomy November 25, 2020
View of the north and south poles of Mars

Capping the Red Planet June 11, 2020
Valles Marineris on Mars

A Grander Canyon March 17, 2020
InSight landing site

Target Zone November 24, 2018
ice layers in the south polar cap of Mars

Icy Layers June 7, 2018
Elevation view of Tharsis region on Mars

High and Low on Mars May 23, 2018
Martian dust storm

Dusty Skies April 7, 2018
Layers of buried ice exposed on a Martian slope

Icy Mars January 14, 2018
Opportunity rover view of its surroundings on Mars, June 2017

On the Downslope July 24, 2017

A Day on Mars August 24, 2016

Close Neighbor May 20, 2016
Volcanoes on Tharsis Ridge, Mars

Shifting Skin May 18, 2016
The Arda Valles region of Mars

Red Tides February 19, 2016
Sand dunes on Mars

Dune World December 20, 2015

First Eyes on Mars July 13, 2015