10 Out-Of-This-World Facts About Mars, the Red Planet
Mars has always fascinated humanity with its reddish hue and the possibility of alien life. From ancient astronomers to modern scientists, Mars continues to captivate with its mystery and potential. Let's dive into 10 fascinating facts about Mars, the Red Planet.
Mars Gets Its Reddish Appearance From Iron Oxide
Often referred to as the Red Planet, Mars gets its distinctive color from iron oxide, also known as rust. The planet's surface material contains a significant amount of iron oxide, which reflects sunlight to give Mars its reddish appearance.
Mars Has the Largest Volcano in the Solar System
The Olympus Mons on Mars holds the title for being the largest volcano and the highest known mountain in the solar system. Towering at about 13.6 miles (22 kilometers) high, it's nearly three times the height of Mount Everest, Earth's tallest mountain.
Mars Has a Super-Thin Atmosphere
Compared to Earth, Mars has a very thin and weak atmosphere, composed mostly of carbon dioxide, with traces of nitrogen and argon. The atmospheric pressure on Mars is less than 1% of the pressure at sea level on Earth. This thin atmosphere makes it incredibly difficult for Mars to retain heat, contributing to its cold temperatures.
Mars Has Two Tiny Moons
Mars is accompanied by two small, irregularly-shaped moons: Phobos and Deimos. They were discovered in 1877 by astronomer Asaph Hall and are believed to be captured asteroids.
Mars Has the Most Extreme Seasons in the Solar System
Mars has a tilt similar to Earth's, which gives it seasons. However, its elliptical (oval-shaped) orbit around the sun leads to long, extremely cold winters and short, somewhat warm summers. Mars is farthest from the sun in its orbit during winter and closest to the sun during summer. This means that seasons in the southern hemisphere are more extreme, while those in the northern hemisphere are milder. For example, temperatures in the southern hemisphere can vary from -205 degrees Fahrenheit (-131 degrees Celsius) in winter to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) in summer.
Mars Hosts the Longest Canyon in the Solar System
The Valles Marineris on Mars is the longest canyon in the solar system. Stretching over 2,500 miles (4,000 kilometers), it would span the United States from coast to coast! Its origin remains a topic of scientific investigation, although it's likely related to tectonic activity.
The Gravity on Mars is Just 37% of Earth's
If you were to visit Mars, you'd feel a lot lighter. The gravity on Mars is only about 37% of the gravity on Earth. This means that if you weigh 100 pounds on Earth, you would weigh just 37 pounds on Mars.
Mars is Home to Polar Ice Caps
Just like Earth, Mars has polar ice caps made from water and carbon dioxide. However, due to its thin atmosphere and distance from the sun, Mars can get cold enough for carbon dioxide — the main component of its atmosphere — to freeze solid, contributing to the polar ice caps.
Mars Takes its Name from the Roman God of War
Mars was named by the Romans for their god of war due to its reddish hue, which reminded them of blood. The Greeks also named the planet Ares, after their own god of war.
Evidence of Liquid Water on Mars
Over the years, Mars rovers and orbiters have found compelling evidence of past liquid water on Mars. Gullies, ancient lake beds, and minerals that only form in liquid water suggest that Mars might have been a much warmer, wetter planet in the past. Currently, liquid water cannot exist on the surface due to the low atmospheric pressure, but it could potentially exist underground.
