What kind of atmosphere is on?Mars

The atmosphere of Mars is 95 per cent carbon dioxide, 3 per cent nitrogen and 1.6 per cent argon. Traces of oxygen and water have also been found. Some scientists have claimed to have found traces of methane. This gave rise to the speculation that there may be life on Mars, since methane is a gas produced by many animals. But other scientists pointed out that methane is also produced by the mineral olivine, which can be found on Mars.

How to look out for Mars?

From 27 August 2006, Earth and Mars have been closer to each other than they have been in the last 60,000 years! It has begun to appear brightly in the night sky, as seen here while looking south-east from Poodle Rock in the Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada, USA. Now Mars will be the brightest object in the night sky after the Moon and Venus.

What is Olympus Mons?

The tallest volcano in the solar system, Olympus Mons towers 27 kilometers (16.88 miles) above the surface of Mars.

What kind of weather would you find on Mars?

The temperature varies from -140 to 20 °C (-220 to 68 °F). The polar ice caps on Mars increase and decrease in size alternately in winter and summer Mars also has dust storms, which can cover the entire planet.

Why are seasons on Mars longer than on Earth?

Mars and Earth are tilted on their axis in the same way. Therefore, Mars has almost the same kind of seasons as Earth. However, because a Martian year is equal to two years on Earth, each Martian season lasts twice as long as the seasons on Earth.

Why are seasons on Mars longer than on Earth?

Mars and Earth are tilted on their axis in the same way. Therefore, Mars has almost the same kind of seasons as Earth. However, because a Martian year is equal to two years on Earth, each Martian season lasts twice as long as the seasons on Earth.

Is there water on Mars?

Scientists have found signs of water in rock layers. In 2006, the scientists saw new deposits of sediment on the surface of Mars. These sediments had not been there six years earlier. According to scientists at NASA, this is the strongest evidence so far that water still flows occasionally on the surface of Mars, though other scientists say the sediments could have been deposited by carbon dioxide frost or movement of dust. Samples of the minerals hematite and goethite have also been found in Mars. These minerals are sometimes formed in the presence of water.

What is the surface of Mars like?

The surface of Mars is divided into the northern plains flattened by lava flows, and the southern highlands marked by huge craters. The planet boasts Olympus Mons, the largest volcano in the solar system.

Which Planet is known as Red Planet?

Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun and is named after the Greek god of war. It is also called the red planet because it glows red in the sky. The presence of rust (iron oxide) on its surface gives the planet its color.

Spinning backwards

All the planets rotate from west to east on their axes, apart from Venus, which spins in the opposite direction. On the surface of Venus, the Sun appears to rise in the west and set in the east. The planet might have been hit by a huge space rock, reversing the direction of its spin.

Are there volcanoes on Venus?

There are more volcanoes on Venus than there are on Earth. About 80 per cent of the planet’s surface is made up of smooth volcanic plains, and there are two major mountain ranges with volcanoes that may be active. The peak of Maxwell Montes, the highest mountain on Venus, lies 11 kilometers (7 miles) above the surface of the planet. Mount Everest rises only about 9 kilometers (6 miles) above sea level.

Why is a day longer than a year on Venus?

Venus goes around the Sun at a very high speed. It takes only about 225 days to complete one orbit. However, it spins much more slowly on its axis, taking about 243 days to complete a rotation. Therefore, days on Venus are longer than years.

Why is Venus hotter than Mercury?

Venus has a thick atmosphere, much thicker than the Earth’s. The atmosphere is mainly carbon dioxide. This greenhouse gas traps large amounts of heat within the planet. That is why Venus is hotter than Mercury, though Mercury is closer to the Sun.

Which planet is also known as the Earth’s twin?

Venus is the second planet from the Sun. It is also Earth’s closest neighbor and its size, composition, gravity and distance from the Sun are similar to the Earth’s. Venus is so similar to Earth, that it is often considered to be its twin. However, in reality, Venus is very different.

Looking at Mercury

The Mariner 10 space probe is the only one to have got anywhere near Mercury so far. It is sending photographs of the surface of Mercury regularly now.

How is Mercury seen from close-up?

From up close, the surface of Mercury can be seen to be pitted with huge craters. Any meteor that comes near Mercury falls on the surface and creates a crater, as there is no atmosphere to burn the meteor up.

What is the surface of Mercury like?

If you were to land on mercury, you would find a surface very similar to that of the Moon. It has dust-covered hills, cliffs and is dotted by craters. The planet also has a thick metallic core and a sandy crust.

What space probes have been launched to Mercury?

Mercury, being so close to the Sun, is very difficult to explore. Space probes are unable to withstand the heat of the planet. Only one space probe, Mariner 10, has visited Mercury so far. It photographed nearly half of the planet’s surface. A new probe, Messenger, is on its way to Mercury. It was launched on 3 August 2004 and is expected to return, after photographing the whole planet, in March 2012. Another space mission will begin in 2013.

Why are nights on Mercury freezing cold, although it’s the planet closest to the Sun?

Unlike Earth, Mercury is not surrounded by a thick protective blanket of air called the atmosphere. This means that the heat from the Sun escapes, leaving the planet freezing at night. While the temperature during the day can be as high as 467 °C (873 °F), at night it drops to -183 °C (-297 °F).

Why planet Mercury has sandy surface?

Mercury has a surface that is full of hills and steep canyons, all of it covered with a mixture of sandy substances. The core of the planet is metallic, like all the rocky planets.

What Planet is lnown as the Hot Planet?

Mercury is the planet closest to the Sun. It is also very small – about the size of Earth’s moon. It is named after the Roman messenger god because it moves very quickly.

What are the special characteristics of the gas giants?

Jupiter is the largest planet. It rotates faster than any other planet and has the most moons. Saturn is set apart by its beautiful rings, made up of dust particles and pieces of ice. Uranus is a strange planet where seasons last for more than 20 years, while Neptune is the windiest planet in the solar system.