Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun in the Solar System.
The planet is named after the Roman god of war, Mars.
It is often described as the “Red Planet“, as the iron oxide prevalent on its surface gives it a reddish appearance.
Mars is a terrestrial planet with a thin atmosphere, having surface features reminiscent both of the impact craters of the Moon and the volcanoes, valleys, deserts, and polar ice caps of Earth.
The rotational period and seasonal cycles of Mars are likewise similar to those of Earth, as is the tilt that produces the seasons.
Until the first flyby of Mars occurred in 1965, by Mariner 4, many speculated about the presence of liquid water on the planet’s surface.
In 2005, radar data revealed the presence of large quantities of water ice at the poles, and at mid-latitudes.
The Mars rover Spirit sampled chemical compounds containing water molecules in March 2007.
The Phoenix lander directly sampled water ice in shallow Martian soil on July 31, 2008.
Mars has two moons, Phobos and Deimos, which are small and irregularly shaped.
Mars is currently host to three functional orbiting spacecraft: Mars Odyssey, Mars Express, and the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.
Mars can easily be seen from Earth with the naked eye.
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