Happy Red Planet Day : Fun Facts about Mars

Hi all,

Today we celebrate red planet because on November 28 we recall the launch of the Spacecraft Mariner 4 by NASA in 1964, which was the first craft to ever reach Mars. We will be discussing fun facts about Mars.

Mars has been and continues to be the most explored planet, other than Earth, in the solar system.

Even though it cannot sustain human life now, there have been many questions about what the future of the planet holds and what it was like in the past. 

It is a day to celebrate and learn more about the Red Planet – Mars. 

Here are some more interesting facts about this planet:

• Mars is the fourth planet and the furthest terrestrial planet from the Sun.
• The reddish color of its surface is due to finely grained iron(III) oxide dust in the soil, giving it the nickname “the Red Planet“.
• It takes 687 days to orbit the sun
• It has two moons – Phobos and Deimos
• Mars boasts the highest mountain – (Mount Olympus) in our solar system and it’s 3 times the height of Mount Everest.
• Mars is one of Earth’s two closest planetary neighbors (Venus is the other). Mars is one of the easiest planets to spot in the night sky – it looks like a bright red point of light.
• There is evidence that liquid water existed on the Martian surface in the past, and there are signs of ancient riverbeds and lakes. However, any present liquid water is likely to be underground.
• Numerous robotic missions have been sent to Mars, including rovers like Spirit, Opportunity, Curiosity, and Perseverance, as well as orbiters like the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and also helicopter. These missions aim to study the planet’s geology, climate, and the possibility of past life.

Mars moons : Phobos and Deimos

Mars Characteristics

• Length of day: 1d 0h 37m
• Radius: 3,389.5 km
• Gravity: 3.71 m/s²
• Distance from Sun: 227.9 million km
• Orbital period: 687 days

HOW TO OBSERVE #RedPlanetDay

Science centers, planetariums, and schools hold various events on this day to help people learn more about Mars. To participate:

• Look for Mars in the night sky by looking low in the western sky just after sunset.
• Read about Mars online and look up videos about the red planet.
• Watch movies that feature Mars, such as The Martian, The Last Days on Mars, Total Recall, and Mission to Mars.
• Build a model of the solar system with your kids.
• Learn more about Spacecraft Mariner 4.

Share this day on social media with #RedPlanetDay.

Thank You

Happy Red Planet Day !! Will be sharing more in formative articles on Mars. Keep sharing. Keep Exploring.