Mars Introduction 

Ever since the first time man set eyes on the big red planet, Mars has been an object of constant wonder, amazement and curiosity. Wonder, for what treasures does that mysterious planet hold in its depths? Amazement, for who or what was responsible for the construction of those so-called Martian canals? And finally, curiosity for who would not want to set foot upon the surface? And many of these questions have already been answered through a massive collaborative effort among astronomers, scientists and engineers aimed to unlock the secrets hidden deep within the vaults of the Universe.

Being the fourth planet from the Sun makes the color of the planet easy to observe from Earth. Thus the nickname the "Red Planet" originates. In ancient times, the Romans honored Mars by naming this planet after their god of war.

Mars Site Contents

• Introduction to Mars

• Orbital and Physical Data

• Surface
• Landmarks
• Olympus Mons - the largest mountain in the Solar System
• Volcanic Regions - the area of huge volcanoes.
• Valles Marineris - a system of canyons 4000 km long
• Hellas Planitia - a huge impact crater
• The southern hemisphere - cratered highlands
• Plate Tectonics or lack thereof
• North and South Poles
• Mars climate


• Atmosphere
• Chemical Composition
• Greenhouse effect

• Interior
  • Speculations on the interior
  • New found magnetic fields


• Exploration
  • Mariner 4 - First spacecraft to visit Mars
  • Mars 2 - Landed on Mars for the first time
  • Two Vikings
  • Mars Pathfinder
  • Mars Global Surveyor


• Satellites
  • Phobos
  • Deimos


• Miscellaneous
  • Extraterrestrial life on Mars
  • Martian meteorite - Life particles?
  • "The Face" on Mars