 Mars is called the Red Planet. The surface of Mars looks red because of all the iron oxide in the soil. Iron oxide is better known as rust! Mars is named for the Roman god of war. The red color reminded people of the color of blood. Mars is the fourth planet from the sun. It takes 687 Earth days to go around the sun. The atmosphere is very thin. Humans could not breathe there. The highest volcano in the solar system can be found on Mars. It is called Olympus Mons, and is 14 miles high. Mars has two moons, Phobos and Deimos. The United States has a spacecraft orbiting Mars this month! There is a special camera called "HiRise" onboard that is taking wonderful pictures. image from www.spaceplace.nasa.gov |
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