1. Mars The Red Planet By Julie Daffron

2. Contents Orbital Properties Orbital Properties Physical Properties Physical Properties Observation from Earth Observation from Earth The surface The surface Atmosphere Atmosphere Internal Structure Internal Structure Moons Moons

3. Orbit Fourth planet from Sun. Fourth planet from Sun. A year on Mars is 687 Earth days. A year on Mars is 687 Earth days. Like Earth, it rotates on its axis east to west. Like Earth, it rotates on its axis east to west. A day is 24 hours, 39 minutes and 35 seconds long. A day is 24 hours, 39 minutes and 35 seconds long. Orbits Sun in an elliptical shape. Orbits Sun in an elliptical shape.

4. Physical Properties It is believed that Mars has an outer crust layer, denser mantel beneath, and a core of Iron. It is believed that Mars has an outer crust layer, denser mantel beneath, and a core of Iron. Radius=3400 km or.53 of Earths radii. Radius=3400 km or.53 of Earths radii. Mass=6.4x10^23 or.11 times that of Earth. Mass=6.4x10^23 or.11 times that of Earth. Density=3900 kg/m^3 which a little more denser than our moon. Density=3900 kg/m^3 which a little more denser than our moon.

5. Observation from Earth From Earth you can see the polar caps on both ends of Mars grow and shrink. From Earth you can see the polar caps on both ends of Mars grow and shrink. Older astronomers claimed they could see canals but however, they were mistaken. It was not possible to see individual canals from Earth. Older astronomers claimed they could see canals but however, they were mistaken. It was not possible to see individual canals from Earth. It is hard to see Mars from Earth because the Sun hits the surface at almost a vertical angle which casts a shadow and makes it look like only a red disk in the sky. It is hard to see Mars from Earth because the Sun hits the surface at almost a vertical angle which casts a shadow and makes it look like only a red disk in the sky. Dust storms are also visible. They account for why we see the surface darken and lighten. Dust storms are also visible. They account for why we see the surface darken and lighten.

6. Surface Plains, canyons, volcanoes, valleys, gullies and polar ice caps, and impact basins cover the surface. Plains, canyons, volcanoes, valleys, gullies and polar ice caps, and impact basins cover the surface. Largest volcano in solar system: Olympus Mons. Largest volcano in solar system: Olympus Mons. Evidence of water includes runoff channels, and outflow channels. Spacecrafts can see where water left impressions on the surface. Evidence of water includes runoff channels, and outflow channels. Spacecrafts can see where water left impressions on the surface. On each end of Mars there are polar caps and they are made of completely frozen carbon dioxide. It is speculated that underneath the frozen layer lays frozen water. On each end of Mars there are polar caps and they are made of completely frozen carbon dioxide. It is speculated that underneath the frozen layer lays frozen water. The surface is rocky and covered with impact sites. The surface is rocky and covered with impact sites.

7. Atmosphere The atmosphere is comprised of 95% carbon dioxide. The atmosphere is comprised of 95% carbon dioxide. It is 50 K cooler than Earth. It is 50 K cooler than Earth. Mars use to have an atmosphere similar to ours complete with blue skies and rain but it slowly deteriorated away. Mars use to have an atmosphere similar to ours complete with blue skies and rain but it slowly deteriorated away.

8. Internal Structure Determined that there is no magnetic field surrounding the planet which makes it vulnerable to the Suns rays. Determined that there is no magnetic field surrounding the planet which makes it vulnerable to the Suns rays. Core speculated to be nonmetallic, nonliquid or both. Core speculated to be nonmetallic, nonliquid or both. The planet never heated up and melted as much as Earth did which is why part of the planet died two billion years ago. The planet never heated up and melted as much as Earth did which is why part of the planet died two billion years ago.

9. Moons Two moons: Phobos and Deimos. Two moons: Phobos and Deimos. Phobos is larger which is 28km long and 20 km wide and Deimos is 16km by 10km. Phobos is larger which is 28km long and 20 km wide and Deimos is 16km by 10km. When they orbit around Mars they also have the same face towards the planet. When they orbit around Mars they also have the same face towards the planet. Phobos take 7 hours and 39 minutes to orbit once as where it takes Deimos 30 hours and 18 minutes to orbit. Phobos take 7 hours and 39 minutes to orbit once as where it takes Deimos 30 hours and 18 minutes to orbit. The moons were not formed with Mars but were captured by its gravity. The moons were not formed with Mars but were captured by its gravity.

10. Summary Mars is by far the planet most like Earth. And it has the highest chance for sustaining life. Mars is the closest planet to ours and it will always be the brightest star to us. Because of how close it is it will always be closely studied. Mars is by far the planet most like Earth. And it has the highest chance for sustaining life. Mars is the closest planet to ours and it will always be the brightest star to us. Because of how close it is it will always be closely studied.

11. Sources Google images Google images Text Text NASA NASA