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The red planet, or Mars, was named after the Roman god of war. On Mars, temperatures
may reach 50°F on a warm day, while there may still be patchy ice clouds. The red planet has polar caps which
contrast the reddish effect. The Valles Marineris is a canyon like rift, stretching about 5000 kilometers long.
Since the atmosphere is less dense than the earth, its seasons are more extreme than any other terrestrial planet.
There are both north and south Martian poles each with their distinct features. They are surounded by large deserts
consisting of dunes parallel to the martian winds. Mars has volcanoes
as well. Tharsis buldge and Olymis Mons are the largest known volacanoes.
Whether or not they are active is still unclear. It is once beleived that
Mars had many lakes and traces of water. Now hoever, there are non of these traces of water, but much theorizes
is left to do.
The Martian atmosphere consists of 95% Carbon Dioxide, 3% Nitrogen and small amounts of Oxygen and Water. Since
there are dust and clouds, we know for sure that an atmosphere is present. The low density causes a weak greenhouse
effect. With not much Carbon Dioxide kept in, this shows that Mars is a very cold place. The average temperature
being 218 K or -67°F. Most water is frozen on Mars. Martian winds carry clouds of dry ice and small water
crystals. Due to the cold atmosphere virtually no rain accumulates or falls. However, frost may form at night as
well as patches of fog. Observing the poles, we may see that carbon dioxide snow exists.
The Martian interior is beleived to be similar to that of the Earth, where it
contains a crust, mantle and inner core. Scientists have no direct
confirmation of this since accurate testing has not been. From its weak
magnetic field we can determine that it has a small liquid iron-nickel core.
Mars has no varied mountainous plains such as the earth. The craters
symbolize low tectonic activity along with different volcanic regions.
Finally, Mars has two moons. Phobos and Deimos are named after the Roman demigods Fear and Panic. Both of them
have many craters implying that the have been struck by foreign objects. Their tiny mass and structure makes us
beleive that they are captured asteroids within Mars.
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