Mars: The Red Planet

Mars, the fourth planet from the Sun, has captivated human imagination for centuries. Known as the "Red Planet" due to iron oxide (rust) on its surface, Mars is a cold, desert world with polar ice caps, extinct volcanoes, and evidence of ancient river valleys.

A World of Extremes

Mars is home to some of the most extreme geological features in the solar system. Olympus Mons, a shield volcano, is the tallest planetary mountain known, standing about 13.6 miles (22 kilometers) high—nearly three times the height of Mount Everest. Valles Marineris, a system of canyons, stretches over 2,500 miles (4,000 kilometers) and would span the entire United States from coast to coast.

Evidence of Water

While Mars today is a frozen desert with a thin atmosphere, overwhelming evidence suggests it once had liquid water flowing across its surface. Ancient river channels, lake beds, and minerals that form in the presence of water all point to a warmer, wetter past billions of years ago. Today, water exists as ice at the polar caps and possibly as briny liquid beneath the surface.

Potential for Life

Mars is considered one of the most likely places in our solar system to find evidence of past or present microbial life. The discovery of organic molecules and seasonal methane variations by rovers like Curiosity and Perseverance has heightened interest in the possibility that life may have existed—or still exists—on Mars.

Human Exploration

Mars has been extensively studied by orbiters, landers, and rovers, making it the most explored planet beyond Earth. With its relatively accessible surface and resources like water ice, Mars is the primary target for future human exploration and potential colonization efforts by space agencies and private companies.