Mars is one of the seven planets of the solar system. It ranks fourth in distance from the Sun, behind Earth, Venus and Mercury. Some scientists believe that among all the planets, Mars is the best suited for the start of space colonization.
But do we know enough about this planet? Is there life on Mars now? And, after all, if we ever decide to fly to Mars, what conditions await us there? Let’s try to answer these and other questions.
- It has long been believed that the appearance of this planet in the sky is a bad omen (it is because of its red hue that Mars got the name of the god of war). Nevertheless, it was not considered a separate planet, but only one of the five stars that move around the Earth.
- In fact, Mars owes its red color to a large amount of iron oxide on the surface of the planet. It is because of this compound that it is completely covered with rust. By the way, depending on the season (and there are four on the red planet), Mars can change its shade from pink to brown.
- It is interesting that a day on Mars lasts a little longer than on Earth – 24 hours, 39 minutes and 35 seconds. But at that time, a year on the red planet is almost twice as long – its duration is 687 days.
- The average temperature on Mars is very unstable. In winter at the poles, the indicator drops to minus 53 degrees Celsius, and in summer it does not rise above +25. In addition to everything, Mars is known for its strong winds (up to 190 km/h), which can cover the entire planet for several months.
- Interesting fact: the red planet has blue sunrises and sunsets. Since dust is dispersed over its entire area on Mars, it gives a special bluish tint to the entire planet in the morning and evening.
- The most studied planet in the world (except Earth) is Mars. Its location and soil type are ideal for various types of research. Today, there are three American rovers and a stationary laboratory on the red planet. And there are as many as 8 spacecraft in its orbit.
- Not all attempts to explore Mars have been as successful as these rovers. Two-thirds of all launches were doomed to failure. Scientists do not rule out the theory of the existence of a kind of “Bermuda triangle” on Mars, where some devices disappear.
- Thanks to the constant in-depth study of Mars, there is a theory that it used to have a full-fledged hydrosphere. There were rivers and lakes on Mars. But under the influence of temperature changes, all the water disappeared. Some of its remains can be found under the ice cover in the polar caps.
- The world’s largest canyon is on Mars. Marinera Canyon is a system of canyons, the maximum length of which is 4,500 km (which is almost a quarter of the circumference of the entire planet), the width is 200 km, and the depth reaches, according to various sources, 6-11 kilometers.
- In addition to giant canyons, Mars has the largest volcanoes in our solar system. Their total area is 30 million km² (this is the approximate area of the African continent).
- Man has big plans not only for further study of the red plane, but also for its colonization. The European Space Agency and NASA have been working on this idea for many years. Their plans include landing a man on Mars by 2035.
- Fun fact: if there was a direct road between Earth and Mars, it would take you 271 years and 221 days. But this is provided that you do not exceed the speed of 95 km/h.
- According to the latest studies, Mars has almost no magnetic field (however, there is a theory that it once had one). So, a person who weighs 80 kg on Earth will weigh 30 kg on Mars.
- In addition to extremely low temperatures and strong hurricanes, the red planet is characterized by low pressure, which without special equipment will instantly turn the oxygen in human blood into bubbles – which is incompatible with life. And every sunrise on Mars is accompanied by a lethal dose of radiation for humans.
- If you still have romantic ideas about the colonization of Mars, the founder of the company “SpaceX” Elon Musk will shatter all your hopes. According to him, the future flight to the red planet is not only dangerous, but also very difficult. Besides, most likely, the colonizers will never return.
And now the question: would you like to go to Mars with the first colonists? Write your answers in the comments:
