Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun in our solar system. It is known as the “Red Planet” due to its reddish appearance, which results from iron oxide, or rust, on its surface. Mars is a terrestrial planet with a thin atmosphere, composed mainly of carbon dioxide, with traces of nitrogen and argon. Its surface features include the largest volcano in the solar system, Olympus Mons, and a vast canyon system, Valles Marineris. Mars has polar ice caps and experiences seasons similar to Earth, due to its tilt on its axis. The planet has been a target for numerous exploration missions, both robotic and planned human missions, largely due to the presence of water in the form of ice and the potential for past microbial life. Mars has intrigued scientists and the public alike as a candidate for future human colonization and the search for extraterrestrial life.
Ground-penetrating radar reveals ancient shorelines on Mars, suggesting a hidden watery past beneath its surface. The Utopia Planitia region shows sediment layers hinting at a once-existing sea, Deuteronilus, that may…
NASA's Curiosity Rover captured vibrant, colorful clouds on Mars, revealing stunning Martian skies. The phenomenon involves clouds of frozen carbon dioxide, creating noctilucent or "twilight clouds" illuminated by the setting…
New research conducted using data collected by NASA's now-retired InSight mission has revealed that Mars is bombarded by hundreds of basketball-sized meteoroids each year, leading to impact craters and seismic…