SOLAR SYSTEM

Mars the rust planet

Mars is the fourth of eight planets in our solar system and is almost the same size as the Earth. It is composed of a surface deeply covered by fine rust dust.


Mars 4K image

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  Original image: NASA/JPL


Mars facts

CHARACTERISTIC VALUE
Magnitude: 0.58
Mass: 6.42 x 1023 kg
Radius: 3,389 km
Density: 3.93 gm/cm3
Distance from Sun: 208 million km
Rotational period: 1.026 days
Orbital period: 687 days
Orbital velocity: 35.02 km/sec
Eccentricity of orbit: 0.09
Tilt of axis: 25.2 °
Inclination of orbit: 1.85 °
Surface gravity: 3.72 m/sec2
Escape velocity: 5.03 km/sec
Albedo: 0.17
Surface temperature: -60°C mean
Atmosphere: CO2 = 96%
N2 = 3%
Moons: 2


Mars surface features

Here are some major surface features of Mars.



FEATURE TYPE
Alba Mons mountain
Anseris Mons mountain
Argyre Planitia low plain
Arcadia Planitia low plain
Arsia Mons mountain
Ascraeus Mons mountain
Candor Chasma chasm
Chryse Planitia low plain
Elysium volcano complex
Hellas Basin basin
Isdid Planitia low plain
Jerezo Crater crater
Olympus Mons mountain
Pavonis Mons mountain
Syrtis Major Planum plateau
Utopia Planitia low plain
Valles Marineris valley


Mars poles




Moons of Mars

Mars has two small moons - both of which may be captured asteroids. Deimos and Phobos are very difficult to see except in large telescopes due to being so close to Mars. Moons are listed by size.

Mars vs. Earth ratios

Planet sizes are to relative scale.

Exploration of Mars





Two things are infinite - the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.

- Albert Einstein