Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun. It is the second smallest planet in the Solar System after Mercury.
Mars is a terrestrial planet with a thin atmosphere. The rotational period of the planet and seasonal cycles of Mars are similar to those found on Earth. The largest volcano in our Solar System is also found on Mars and is named Olympus Mons, it is 21 km tall.
Mars has two moons, Phobos and Deimos which are however quite small and irregularly shaped. Liquid water cannot exist on the surface of the planet due to the low atmospheric pressure, which is less than 1% of Earth’s. However the 2 polar ice caps appear to be made largely of water.
Mars can easily be seen from Earth with the naked eye, as can its reddish coloring.
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Object info
| Name | Mars |
| Type | Terrestrial |
| Perihelion | 1,38 AU |
| Aphelion | 1,66 AU |
| Orbital period | 1,88 yr |
| Equatorial radius | 0,53 Earths |
| Mass | 0,10 Earths |
| Eq. Surface gravity | 0,37 G |
| Sidereal rot. period | 24h 37m 22s |
| Apparant magnitude | +1,6 to -3 |
| Known satellites | 2 |
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