Mars

Mars is the fourth planet from the sun. It has a red surface due to large amounts of iron oxide in its soil.  Mars has polar ice caps that are made of frozen gas and water.  Here are some facts about mars.

Max distance from sun = 249 million km  Min distance from sun 206 million km

Max distance from earth = 399 million km   Min distance from earth 56 million km

Size = 6876 km          Gravity = .38 (earth = 1)      Rotation = 1.02 d   (24.6 hours)   Axis Inclination = 25.2 degrees

Number of Moons = 2    Orbital Eccentricity  0.093   Temperature range -143 C to +17 C

Some of the hills on mars appear to make a face.

  Four views show different surface features.

Click on this map for a larger view

The rovers named Opportunity and Sojourn are exploring the planet Mars looking for signs of water and life.  As of this date, they have not found any life.  They have found important clues that water once covered much of this planet's surface.

To learn more about the planet Mars, visit the NASA.Gov web site and look for the links to the rovers on  Mars.....and other space probes.....Warning, this link will take you out of the Chesapeake Public Schools web site.