Pictures of the Planet Mars
- Lessons in Astronomy -

Basic Information About the Planet Mars

Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun and takes 1.88 years to complete its orbit around the Sun. It turns on its axis every 24 hours and 37 minutes - similar to Earth's rotational period. The mean distance of Mars from the Sun is 141,633,261 miles.

Mars has a rocky surface and a thin atmosphere consisting of 95% carbon dioxide, with the remainder being made up of nitrogen, argon, oxygen, carbon monoxide, and other gases. Its diameter is 4,222 miles and its gravity is 38% that of Earth. The temperature of this planet ranges from -225 degrees Fahrenheit (-143 C) to 63 degrees Fahrenheit (+17 C). Mars has polar ice caps that expand and recede with the seasons. This planet has two small moons: Phobos and Deimos.


Pictures of Mars by Mars Global Surveyor
(Click image to enlarge)



	Mars Daily Global Image from April 1999






Twin Peaks in Super Resolution





	Evidence for Recent Liquid Water on Mars: Channeled Aprons in a Small Crater within Newton Crater





	Wind Tails Near Rock "Chimp"





	Close-up of Sol 24 Sunset from Mars





	Hubble Captures Best View of Mars Ever Obtained from Earth (before 2003)






Mars Topography



	All images are courtesy NASA/JPL

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