Mars

Mars.

Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun in the Solar System. 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. Mars is the site of Olympus Mons, the highest known mountain within the Solar System, and of Valles Marineris, the largest canyon. The smooth Borealis basin in the northern hemisphere covers 40% of the planet and may be a giant impact feature.

History

Due to its similarity with Earth, scientists believed it might hold life as well. In the early years of space exploration, various theories and projects were made to justify this. Eventually, scientists from Earth discovered microscopic evidence of ancient life on Mars in 1996. Larger fossils were discovered later on.

In 1997 the NASA rover Sojourner became the first craft to explore Mars; the location later became a Mars Heritage Site. In 2032, a manned spacecraft traveled to the orbit of Mars. In 2058 the first humans land on Mars. But in 2059 was an accident of unknown causes and the First Martian Colony was destroyed. After that humans didn't go back to Mars, and in 2076 humans are more focused on Jupiter: this year the Earth launch a spacecraft to Jupiter, called Von Braun. One of the Von Braun astronauts is Hachimaki.

Gallery

Surface of Mars.

Utopia Planitia (future).