Mars

(proper noun)

The fourth planet in the solar system. Symbol: ♂

Related Terms

Examples of Mars in the following topics:

  • Mars and a Biosphere

    • Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun and the second smallest planet in the Solar System.
    • Mars has volcanoes, valleys, deserts, and polar ice caps similar to Earth.
    • Additionally, Mars rotates similarly to Earth and has a tilt that produces seasons.
    • Mars was first observed at close proximity in 1965 by the Mariner 4.
    • The planet is currently host to five functioning spacecraft: three in orbit—the Mars Odyssey, Mars Express, and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter; and two on the surface—Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity and the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity.

  • Terraforming Mars

    • Terraforming Mars is the hypothetical idea that Mars could be altered in such a way to sustain human and terrestrial life forms.
    • The phrase "terraforming Mars" refers to the idea that the planet Mars could be altered in a way so that it could sustain human and terrestrial life .
    • At this point, terraforming Mars is still a hypothetical idea.
    • There are three major changes necessary for Mars to be suitable for life.
    • Second, Mars would need to be kept warm.

  • Martian Biosignatures

    • A biosignature, a substance that provides scientific evidence of past or present life, is present in the form of fog on the planet Mars.
    • This mixture of gases has also been observed in the atmosphere of the planet Mars.
    • Scientists feel it is necessary to explore their hypotheses, so in the 1970s there were two American probes called Viking I and II that were sent to Mars to explore for life.
    • The probes took images of the planet while in orbit and also while actually on the surface of Mars.
    • There are plans for future missions to Mars, the Mars Science Laboratory and ExoMars, which will not only search for biosignatures but try to detect habitable environments as well.

  • Hyperthermophiles from Submarine Volcanic Habitats

    • Indeed, it has been hypothesized that chemosynthesis may support life below the surface of Mars, Jupiter's moon Europa, and other planets.

  • Methanogenesis

    • This was a topic of hot debate when methane was discovered in the Martian atmosphere by by NASA's Goddard Flight Center (verified by the Mars Express Orbiter in 2004), and in Titan's atmosphere by the Huygens probe (2005).