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Planet Mars: Red Planet Mars
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A new theory about ancient Mars puts some fizz back in the idea that the red planet was once warm, wet and potentially habitable. Many studies have suggested that early Mars was covered by large oceans and blanketed by a thick atmosphere rich in carbon dioxide -- the stuff that puts the bubbly zing in soda. But if that's all true, then when the oceans evaporated a lot of the carbon dioxide should have turned into what scientists call carbonates, which should be strewn all over the place. Problem is, the carbonates aren't there. One recent study found trace amounts in Martian dust, just enough to conclude that Mars probably didn't have vast oceans. The new model provides a way around this problem.
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Driven by the fine, sunlight-absorbing dust that engulfs the planet instead of the water that triggers meteorological changes on Earth, the weather on Mars is characterized by dust storms, dust devils and raging winds. The two hemispheres of Mars, like those of Earth, experience four seasons, and carbon dioxide condenses and forms seasonal frost deposits during the Martian winter. The weather on Mars is mostly predictable, and while the average global temperature is cooler than Earth at 55°C (-133 to 27), temperatures can rise and fall quickly. With an atmosphere only 1% as thick as Earth’s and no magnetic field to shield from solar flares and cosmic rays, the Red Planet offers harsh conditions that are much more severe than on Earth.
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[T]he clearest view of Mars this week will be from the vantage point of NASA's Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) spacecraft, orbiting just 235 miles above the planet's surface. Global Surveyor, which reached its final orbit in February, continues to relay stunning images of ancient Martian volcanoes, canyons, impact craters, and much more. While images from the MGS are unmatched for their coverage and resolution, it's hard to beat a glimpse of the Red Planet at opposition, twinkling among the stars on a clear spring night.
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With each passing day, those peppy robots on Mars � Spirit and Opportunity � churn out extraordinary new views of the red planet. Each android is over a year in operation, relaying a steady stream of eye-catching photos. And more than once, the Mars machinery has sent back an image that stirred up a promising eureka moment: Finding evidence for life on that remote world.
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Named after the Roman god of war, the planet Mars is located four planets from the Sun. Commonly referred to as “The Red Planet,” Mars tends to give off a reddish hue when viewed from Earth. This is believed to be caused by an abundance of iron oxide on the planet’s surface. Mars is about half the size of the Earth.
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LONDON - Scientists waited in vain for a sign that Europe's tiny Mars lander, the Beagle 2, had survived a landing on the Red Planet. Both a U.S. satellite and British radio telescope failed to pick up its signal. The Beagle 2, designed to search for signs of life on Mars, was believed to have landed shortly before 10 p.m. Wednesday, its impact softened by parachutes and gas bags.
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