In 1971 Mariner 9 entered orbit around Mars, being the first spacecraft to orbit any body other than the Moon, Sun or Earth; following in the same year were the first uncontrolled impact (Mars 2) and first successful landing (Mars 3) on Mars. Probes have been active on Mars continuously since 1997. Mars โ€” the fourth planet from the Sun โ€” is a dusty, cold, desert world with a very thin atmosphere.

Understanding the Context

This dynamic planet has seasons, polar ice caps, extinct volcanoes, canyons, and weather. Mars is the fourth planet in the solar system in order of distance from the Sun and the seventh in size and mass. It is a periodically conspicuous reddish object in the night sky. There are intriguing clues that billions of years ago Mars was even more Earth-like than today.

Key Insights

Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun and the seventh largest planet in the Solar System. With evidence suggesting that it once had flowing water, Mars holds many secrets waiting to be uncovered. Mars Facts | What Does Mars Look Like | All About Mars | Mars Pictures Mars is the fourth planet from the sun and has a distinct rusty red appearance and two unusual moons. The Red Planet is a cold, desert world within our solar system. It has a very thin...

Final Thoughts

Planet Mars News. Read astronomy articles on how Mars could have once supported life, the Mars Rover and more. See images and read full-text articles on Mars exploration. A guide to the Red Planet, Mars, including facts about its geology, a history of Mars missions and images captured by astrophotographers.