Mars
The Red Planet
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun, known as the Red Planet due to iron oxide on its surface. It has the tallest volcano and deepest canyon in the solar system, and scientists believe it may have once harbored life.
Key Facts About Mars
- Diameter: 6,779 km (4,212 miles)
- Distance from Sun: 227.9 million km (141.6 million miles)
- Day length: 24.6 hours
- Year length: 687 Earth days
- Moons: 2 (Phobos and Deimos)
- Rings: None
Olympus Mons
Olympus Mons is the largest volcano in the solar system, standing about 21.9 km (13.6 miles) high and spanning 600 km in diameter. It is nearly three times the height of Mount Everest.
Search for Life
NASA's Perseverance rover is currently exploring Mars, searching for signs of ancient microbial life. The rover is collecting rock samples that may be returned to Earth on a future mission.