Mars: The Red World Next Door

Mars is a frigid desert planet with an average temperature of around -85°F (-65°C), making it far colder than Earth. The planet is only about half the size of our world. It is often referred to as the “Red Planet” because iron-rich minerals in its soil have oxidized, giving the surface its distinctive reddish appearance.

Much like Earth, Mars experiences seasonal changes and features polar ice caps, giant volcanoes, deep valleys, and weather systems. However, its atmosphere is extremely thin and consists mainly of carbon dioxide, with smaller amounts of nitrogen and argon. Humans could not survive by breathing Martian air.

Scientists have discovered evidence that large floods once flowed across the Martian landscape. Today, most water on Mars exists as ice beneath the surface or within the polar regions, while traces of water vapor can be found in the atmosphere. Certain slopes also show signs that salty liquid water may occasionally exist underground.

Researchers continue to investigate whether Mars once supported life and whether it could potentially sustain living organisms in the future.

Structure and Surface

Mars belongs to the group of rocky planets known as terrestrial planets.

The planet has a solid, rocky surface and is considerably smaller than Earth.

Its atmosphere is very thin compared to our planet's.

Although Mars still has weather phenomena such as dust storms and clouds, its geological activity appears largely dormant. The massive volcanoes that dominate parts of the surface are believed to be extinct.

Time on Mars

A Martian day, called a sol, lasts approximately 24.6 hours, only slightly longer than a day on Earth.

A year on Mars equals about 687 Earth days, making it nearly twice as long as an Earth year.

Mars and Its Neighbors

Mars is accompanied by two small moons named Phobos and Deimos.

It is the fourth planet from the Sun, positioned between Earth and Jupiter in the solar system.

A Brief History of Mars Exploration

People have observed Mars since ancient times because it is visible to the naked eye without the need for telescopes.

One of the most remarkable achievements on Mars was the flight of the Ingenuity helicopter. Carried to the planet aboard the Perseverance rover, Ingenuity became the first aircraft to perform powered, controlled flight on another world. Originally designed to complete only a handful of flights over about a month, it far exceeded expectations by completing 72 flights before concluding its mission in early 2024 after nearly three years of operation.

Numerous spacecraft have studied Mars from orbit, the surface, and beyond. Missions such as InSight, MAVEN, and the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter have greatly expanded our knowledge of the planet.

Mars remains the only world beyond Earth where rovers have been sent to drive across the landscape, collecting images, analyzing rocks, and investigating the environment.

Mars Rovers

Perseverance

Perseverance is NASA's newest rover, designed to search for signs of ancient microbial life, collect rock samples, and prepare for future human exploration.

Curiosity

Curiosity continues to study the geology and climate of Mars while investigating whether the planet once had conditions suitable for life.

Spirit and Opportunity

These twin rovers explored different regions of Mars and greatly exceeded their planned mission lifetimes, providing valuable scientific discoveries.

Sojourner

Sojourner was the first rover to successfully operate on another planet, paving the way for future Martian exploration.

What Does Mars Look Like?

Mars is home to some of the most dramatic landscapes in the solar system.

One of its most impressive features is Valles Marineris, a canyon system stretching more than 2,000 miles (3,200 kilometers) across the surface. To appreciate its immense size, it can be compared to the width of the continental United States.

The Ingenuity helicopter provided breathtaking aerial views of the Martian terrain. During its 25th flight in April 2022, it traveled 2,310 feet (704 meters) and reached a top speed of 12 mph (5.5 meters per second), making it both its longest and fastest flight at the time. The helicopter flew over sand dunes, rocky fields, and flat plains before landing safely.

NASA's Perseverance rover has also captured detailed self-portraits on the Martian surface. Some images show sample tubes deposited on the ground as part of the mission's effort to collect materials for future return to Earth.

Meanwhile, the Curiosity rover has produced stunning panoramic views of valleys, hills, and rocky terrain. By combining images taken at different times of day, scientists have created color-enhanced scenes that highlight how lighting changes across the Martian landscape.

Mars continues to reveal a world of towering volcanoes, vast canyons, dusty plains, and fascinating geological features. With every mission, scientists gain a deeper understanding of this neighboring planet and its potential to support future exploration.