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ORBONIX · SOLAR SYSTEM
MARS
The Red Planet — a cold desert world
with two small natural satellites,
Phobos and Deimos.
227.9 million km
AVERAGE DISTANCE FROM SUN
6,779 km
DIAMETER
687 DAYS
ORBITAL PERIOD
24.6 HOURS
ROTATION PERIOD
3.71 m/s²
SURFACE GRAVITY
−125°C → 20°C
APPROX. SURFACE TEMPERATURE
THE RED PLANET
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun
and one of the most extensively explored
worlds beyond Earth.
Its reddish appearance comes mainly from
iron minerals in the surface rocks that
have oxidized, essentially forming rust.
Mars has a thin atmosphere dominated by
carbon dioxide and a surface covered with
ancient craters, volcanoes, valleys and
vast dusty plains.
The planet is home to Olympus Mons,
the largest known volcano in the Solar
System, and Valles Marineris, one of the
largest canyon systems known.
Mars also has two small natural satellites:
Phobos and Deimos.
OLYMPUS MONS
Olympus Mons is the largest known volcano
in the Solar System and rises roughly
22 km above the surrounding plains.
VALLES MARINERIS
A gigantic canyon system stretching
thousands of kilometres across the
Martian surface.
TWO MOONS
Mars has two irregular natural satellites:
Phobos, the larger and closer moon, and
Deimos, the smaller and more distant one.
DID YOU KNOW?
A Martian day is called a sol
and lasts about 24 hours 39 minutes.
EXPLORING MARS
Mars is one of the most intensively explored worlds beyond Earth. Orbiters map its surface and atmosphere, while robotic landers and rovers investigate rocks, climate and evidence of environments that existed when the planet was warmer and wetter. Ancient river valleys, lake deposits and water-bearing minerals show that liquid water shaped parts of Mars in the distant past.
Today, Mars is cold and dry, with a thin atmosphere dominated by carbon dioxide. Its accessible surface, complex geological history and two small moons make it a major target for planetary science and future human exploration.
MARS IMAGE:
NASA / ESA / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS