Known Space   --   Sol   --  

Mars


Fourth out from the Sun is Mars, the Red Planet. Mars is the planet of failed promises. It has ice bordering on the liquid state, and oxygen in abundance. However, Mars just isn't quite big enough to retain a proper atmosphere and the oxygen is tied up in iron oxides that give the planet its red color ... it is a planet of rust.

Though smaller than the Earth, its surface area is similar to that of Earth's land area. Features include:

Olympus Mons
The largest mountain in the Solar System. It rises 24 km above the surrounding plain, and its 500 km diameter base is rimmed by a 6 km high cliff.
Tharsis
A huge bulge in the Martian surface about 4000 km across and 10 km high.
Valles Marineris
A system of canyons 4000 km long and 2 to 7 km deep.
Hellas Planitia
An impact crater in the southern hemisphere 2000 km in diameter and over 6 km deep.


Orbital Distance:   1.381 AU - 1.666 AU (average 1.524 AU)
Eccentricity:       0.007
Local Year:         686.980 days
Orbital Velocity:   24.10 km/s (average)
Inclination:        1.850°
Local Day:          1.029 day (24h 37m 22.6s)
Axial Tilt:         23.4983°

Diameter:           6,794 km
Composition:        Iron and silicates
Density:            3.94 g/cm3
Mass:               6.39 x 1017 tonnes (0.107 earths)
Gravity:            0.380 G
Escape Velocity:    5.03 km/s
Area:               145.011 million km2
Surface Material:   Basaltic dust and rock
Atmosphere:         Thin CO2
Pressure:           0.01 atm
Albedo:             0.16
Temperature:        -23°C

 


Satellite     Distance     Month       Day   Diameter
Phobos        9,270 km    0.32 d    0.32 d      0.002
Deimos       23,400 km    1.26 d    1.26 d      0.001

 

FAQ - Astronomical Glossary


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