Interesting facts about Mars

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Mars, the fourth planet from the Sun, has long beckoned scientists and space enthusiasts with its mysteries and potential for future exploration. Called the “Red Planet” because of the iron oxide dust that covers its surface, Mars is a fascinating world full of interesting facts:

1. The two faces of Mars
   Mars has a unique topography, its surface can be roughly divided into two parts: the northern hemisphere, which is mostly smooth and flat, and the southern hemisphere, covered with craters like the Moon. This distinction makes Mars a planet with two “faces”.
2. The highest mountain in the solar system
   Mars is home to Mount Olympus. It is about 22 kilometres high, which is about three times higher than Mount Everest. It is the tallest mountain in the entire solar system.
3. Water on Mars
   Although Mars today is a mostly dry and desert planet, there is evidence that it had water and rivers in the past. Canyons, river deltas, and minerals found by Mars rovers indicate that billions of years ago Mars had large volumes of liquid water.
4. Thin atmosphere
   Mars’ atmosphere is 95% carbon dioxide. The pressure on the surface of Mars is on average 100 times less than on Earth, posing some challenges for potential colonisation and human survival.
5. Martian glaciers
   Mars has glaciers composed not only of water ice, but also dry ice (solid carbon dioxide). These glaciers may play a key role in the future exploration of the planet by providing water and resources for life.
6. Seasons on Mars
   Like Earth, Mars has a tilted axis, which causes the seasons to change. However, the Martian year lasts twice as long as the Earth year, which means that each season on Mars lasts about twice as long.
7. Giant dust storms
   Mars is known for its giant dust storms, which can rage almost all over the planet and last for months. These storms can significantly alter the landscape and present one of the biggest obstacles to robotic exploration of the planet and the potential for humans to stay there.
8. Martian satellites
   Mars possesses two small satellites, Phobos and Deimos. Phobos, the closest satellite to Mars, is slowly approaching the planet and scientists predict that it will eventually either collide with Mars or disintegrate.
9. The search for life
   One of the main goals of missions to Mars is to search for signs of life. Although no direct evidence of living organisms on Mars has yet been found, the discovery of complex organic molecules and conditions potentially suitable for life in the past has fuelled interest in further exploration.
10. Martian gravity
    Gravity on Mars is 38% of Earth’s, which means that a person or object on Mars will weigh significantly less than on Earth. This presents both opportunities and challenges for future missions and human life on Mars.
11. Colonisation plans
    Mars has become a central target for many space agencies and private companies, such as SpaceX, that are developing plans to colonise the Red Planet. These plans include establishing sustainable settlements for exploration and potentially permanent human habitation.
12. Mars rovers and orbital stations
    Several rovers and orbital stations sent by NASA have successfully operated on Mars. These missions have collected an enormous amount of data on the composition, climate, geology, and potential habitability of Mars, greatly expanding our understanding of the planet.
    Conclusion
    Mars continues to be one of the most intriguing objects in the solar system for explorers. Each new discovery brings us closer to understanding this enigmatic planet and its history, as well as the possibility of humanity’s future exploration of new space horizons.