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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.

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Mars

Mars February 10, 2016

Featured Images

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
Curiosity rover view of rock layers inside Gale Crater on Mars

Ancient Lakebed December 9, 2014
September 9, 2014, view of Curiosity rover's surroundings on Mars

Going Strong September 9, 2014
Artist's concept of early morning fog, clouds, and frost on Mars

Morning Fog April 8, 2014

Downhill Racer February 22, 2014
Fresh Martian impact crater seen by an orbiting spacecraft in late 2013

Fresh Impact February 7, 2014
Rio Tinto, a river in Spain, is a Mars analog

Red River October 9, 2013
Kasei Valles, an ancient flood channel on Mars

Ancient Flood June 10, 2013
Curiosity rover view of Mount Sharp, March 2013

Sharp Destination March 19, 2013
Curiosity view of Rocknest on Mars

Rocky Home November 29, 2012
Early view of the rim of Gale Crater

Inside the Wall August 12, 2012
August 8, 2012, view of Mars from the Curiosity rover

Getting Acquainted August 8, 2012
Endeavour Crater, winter home of the Opportunity Mars rover

Winter Wonderland January 26, 2012
Craters fill an ancient river channel on Mars

Martian Rapids October 10, 2011
Panoramic view of Endeavour crater on Mars, imaged by the Opportunity rover

Final Destination August 11, 2011
Rock varnish on a rock from the Atacama Desert

Bacteria Colony? July 29, 2011
Scientists are studying rocks in Chile to learn about possible life on Mars

Looking for Life July 27, 2011
Chile's Atacama Desert is an analog for studying conditions on Mars

Mars on Earth July 26, 2011
The Opportunity rover crosses the Martian plains toward Endeavour crater

Crater Crawling April 16, 2011
Image of water distribution in northern hemisphere of Mars

Watery Mars April 14, 2011
Ground and orbital views of Opportunity rover at Santa Maria crater

Looking In February 8, 2011

Over the Rim December 31, 2010
The Opportunity rover casts it shadow on the rim of a Martian crater

Martian Robot December 29, 2010
The next Mars rover, Curiosity, zaps a Martian rock with a small laser in this a

War of the Worlds? May 19, 2010

Martian 'Canali' March 14, 2010

Radio Programs

Martian Tsunami Churning up the Martian ocean August 3, 2016

Moon and Mars Boiling up an avalanche July 13, 2016

Mars Opposition II Stripping away the Martian atmosphere May 19, 2016

Mars Opposition A planet makes its own skin crawl May 18, 2016

Moon and Mars Some of the last Martian lakes March 27, 2016

Moon and More Companions Filling up a Martian crater October 7, 2015

Moon, Venus, and Mars Ancient Mars cools off September 8, 2015

Ocean Lost A massive ocean on the planet Mars June 3, 2015

Moon and Mars Warming up a cold planet March 20, 2015

Moon and Mars Asteroids take aim at Mars January 21, 2015

Moon and Mars Coloring the Martian sky August 1, 2014

Moon and Mars Digging holes on other worlds May 9, 2014

Moon and Companions Seeing orange on a nearby planet March 16, 2014

Moon and Mars A garden spot on the Red Planet February 18, 2014

Moon and Mars Taking a trip to Mars January 20, 2014

Moon and Mars A comfortable planetary neighbor October 27, 2013

Moon and Mars Gentle giants on the planet Mars September 28, 2013

Moon and Mars Drilling holes in the surface of Mars August 31, 2013

Moon and Mars Prime real estate on other worlds September 18, 2012

Sky Crane A complicated landing for a complicated rover August 4, 2012

Martian Nuke Powering up a Mars rover August 3, 2012

Moon and Mars Listening in to the Red Planet June 24, 2012

Secret Mars Unlocking the secrets of the Red Planet March 1, 2012

Warming Mars Warming up a desert planet February 18, 2012

More Moon and Mars Scaling the heights of Mars January 12, 2012

Moon and Mars Molding the image of the Red Planet December 15, 2011

Mars Science Laboratory I Plumbing for water on Mars November 21, 2011

More Moon and Companions Settling in on a new world November 17, 2011

Moon and Mars Strolling on alien worlds October 19, 2011

Watery Mars Divining for water on Mars April 13, 2011