MARSMARS“The Red Planet”“The Red Planet”

By:By:Courtney LewisCourtney Lewis

&&Joshua NewcombJoshua Newcomb

How Mars got its nameHow Mars got its name

It got its name from its color, It got its name from its color, which is visible 2 the naked which is visible 2 the naked eye in the night sky.eye in the night sky.

It reminded the roman’s of Mars It reminded the roman’s of Mars (their bloodstained war god).(their bloodstained war god).

Weather on MarsWeather on Mars

Mars has very strong winds and Mars has very strong winds and dust storms.dust storms.

These storms can cover the These storms can cover the entire planet for months.entire planet for months.

Mars atmosphereMars atmosphere

The atmosphere is mainly made The atmosphere is mainly made up of COup of CO2.2.

The pressure is low. It is The pressure is low. It is about 1% of what we feel on about 1% of what we feel on earth.earth.

SizeSize

Mars is the 3Mars is the 3rdrd smallest planet smallest planet in the solar system.in the solar system.

Mar is small compared to the Mar is small compared to the earth.earth.

MarsMars

It is moving farther from the It is moving farther from the earth gradually.earth gradually.

Although it is moving farther Although it is moving farther away it is still the brightest away it is still the brightest object in the solar system.object in the solar system.

MarsMars

The mars meteorite is thought The mars meteorite is thought to have been knocked off the to have been knocked off the planet by a meteor.planet by a meteor.

The massive impact threw a The massive impact threw a bunch of particles into the bunch of particles into the universe and they fell into the universe and they fell into the gravitational pull of the gravitational pull of the planets.planets.

MarsMars

Most scientist think that there Most scientist think that there is no living organisms on mars.is no living organisms on mars.

But the meteoriteBut the meteorite contained contained chemical compounds that living chemical compounds that living organisms produce.organisms produce.

MarsMars

Though its color may make it look warm it Though its color may make it look warm it is in fact colder than earth.is in fact colder than earth.

Temperatures vary from -6 degrees Temperatures vary from -6 degrees Celsius in the summer and -129 degrees Celsius in the summer and -129 degrees Celsius in the winter.Celsius in the winter.

MarsMars

Mars used to be covered in water.Mars used to be covered in water.But now it is frozen at the poles as dry ice.But now it is frozen at the poles as dry ice.

MarsMars

It has two moons named Phobos and It has two moons named Phobos and Deimos.Deimos.

Phobos is very well named since it is Phobos is very well named since it is slowly moving toward Mars.slowly moving toward Mars.

It is predicted to hit in 50 million yearsIt is predicted to hit in 50 million years

MarsMars

Mars should be referred to as the rust Mars should be referred to as the rust planet.planet.

Its red color is thought to be from the Its red color is thought to be from the oxidization of iron rich rocks and dust on oxidization of iron rich rocks and dust on the surfacethe surface

MarsMars

On August 27, 2003 the orbit of mars and On August 27, 2003 the orbit of mars and earth brought them closer then they had earth brought them closer then they had been for 60,000 years.been for 60,000 years.

Last time we got this close was when the Last time we got this close was when the Neanderthals were around.Neanderthals were around.

ReferencesReferences

http://www.planet-science.com

Shock wavesShock waves

http://www.msnbc.com/news/wld/graphics

http://shadowandsubstance.com/Marsy/marsy.swf

Mars picturesMars pictures