Brasil,  
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Distância máxima do Sol ( milhões de Km )
 249,1
Distância miníma do Sol ( milhões de Km )
 206,7
Distância média do Sol ( milhões de Km )
227,9
Diâmetro equatorial ( Km )
6.787
Diâmetro polar ( Km )
 6.726
Velocidade orbital ( Km/s )
 24,1
Volume
 15
Massa
 11
Densidade ( em relação à água )
3.9
Gravidade
 38
Temperatura ( centigrados )
 - 139/ + 22
Atmosfera
 gás carbônico, nitrôgenio, argônio
Satélites
 2
Translação
 687 dias
Rotação
 24hs e 37 minutos

-NAME
The god of war (some might see it's color as blood red). (greek: ares) Many cultures have associated mars with fire.

-ABOUT MARS
Mars has long been the most interesting planet. It comes the closest to having earth-like conditions. It's average temperatures are much colder than earth but on the equator in martian summer it's temperatures might be called spring- like. It's day is only slightly longer than ours. However humans have been adapting to the length of our day so long that even a slight change may disrupt our 'biorhythms'. The atmosphere is un-breathable, being mostly carbon dioxide.

Mars was always thought to be inhabited. At the turn of the century percival lowell was the biggest proponent of martian life. He built his own observatory in arizona to study mars. He believed he saw a network of 'canals' on mars, presumed to be an irrigation tool for the dry deserts of mars. He also thought changes in green markings on the planet were seasonal changes in vegetation. Other observers with larger telescopes disagreed. They said lowell's smaller telescope didn't adequately show detail on mars. Lowell's views were embraced by a public who wanted the romance of a dying culture fighting their arid planet's woes.

It later turned out that the canals were an illusion and the green markings were just surface color changes created by wind-blown dust. Lowell did make one lasting contribution though. He believed in the existence of another planet beyond neptune. Many years after his death, pluto was discovered at his lowell observatory by clyde tombaugh (who has just recently passed away in january at age 90).

The question of life on mars remains open. The viking landers reported mixed results in it's soil analysis. The landing sites were chosen more for a safe landing, than in areas favorable for life. The recent reports of life in martian meteorites is also open to debate. We may have to send humans to mars for definitive answer on present or past life on mars.

MOONS
Mars has two, phobos and deimos, discovered by asaph hall in 1877. They are very small and not even round (bodies require a certain size before gravity will force them spherical).

-OBSERVING-NAKED EYE
Mars is an easy naked eye target. It's reddish-yellow hue is a standout. It's brightness varies more than most of the planets.

-OBSERVING-TELESCOPE
Mars is one of the more interesting planets through the telescope. At closest approach (occurring about every two years) even a small telescope will show it's polar caps. A moderately sized telescope will show a wealth of surface detail. This takes a little experience though. Sometimes a planet-wide dust storm will occur obliterating all markings
A VIEW OF THE MARTIAN SURFACE FROM THE VIKING 1 LANDER IN 1976.

A VIEW OF THE MARS WITH IT'S SOUTH POLAR CAP FROM THE VIKING ORBITER. THE CONTRAST IS EXAGGERATED, THE DARK AREAS ARE NOT SO DARK.

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