Val Kilmer
Robby Gallagher
Search results
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun. The surface of Mars is orange-red because it is covered in iron (III) oxide dust, giving it the nickname " the Red Planet ". [21] [22] Mars is among the brightest objects in Earth's sky and its high-contrast albedo features have made it a common subject for telescope viewing.
- 24.07 km/s, (86700 km/h; 53800 mph)
- 1.025957 d, 24ʰ 37ᵐ 22.7ˢ
- 241 m/s, (870 km/h; 540 mph)
- Why is Mars called the Red Planet? The bright rust color Mars is known for is due to iron-rich minerals in its regolith — the loose dust and rock covering its surface.
- Mars Q&A with an Expert. We asked David C. Agle media relations at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California which handles missions on the Martian surface such as the Perseverance Rover some questions about the Red Planet.
- Mars' surface. The planet's cold, thin atmosphere means liquid water likely cannot exist on the Martian surface for any appreciable length of time. Features called recurring slope lineae may have spurts of briny water flowing on the surface, but this evidence is disputed; some scientists argue the hydrogen spotted from orbit in this region may instead indicate briny salts.
- Mars' moons. The two moons of Mars, Phobos and Deimos, were discovered by American astronomer Asaph Hall over the course of a week in 1877. Hall had almost given up his search for a moon of Mars, but his wife, Angelina, urged him on.
Learn about the red planet's history, climate, geology, and potential for life. Mars is a cold, windy world with huge volcanoes, canyons, and ice caps.
Mars is one of the easiest planets to spot in the night sky – it looks like a bright red point of light. Despite being inhospitable to humans, robotic explorers – like NASA's new Perseverance rover – are serving as pathfinders to eventually get humans to the surface of the Red Planet.
Learn about the latest missions, discoveries, and events related to Mars, the fourth planet from the Sun. Explore the history, geology, climate, and potential for life on the Red Planet with NASA's robotic orbiters, landers, and rovers.
Learn about Mars, the fourth planet from the Sun, and its features, history, and potential for life. Find out why Mars is called the Red Planet, how it compares to Earth, and what missions have explored it.
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun – a dusty, cold, desert world with a very thin atmosphere. Mars is also a dynamic planet with seasons, polar ice caps, canyons, extinct volcanoes, and evidence that it was even more active in the past.
