Mars has fascinated scientists and space enthusiasts for centuries. As our closest neighboring planet, it could one day become the destination for a manned mission or even a human colony. But what do we really know about the Red Planet?
In this article, you'll discover fascinating facts about Mars – from its size and gravity to its seasons, massive sandstorms, and the time it takes to travel there.
Size of Mars
Mars is only half the size of Earth – or in other words, it is twice as big as our Moon. Our Moon is just a quarter the size of Earth.
Length of a Day on Mars
Mars rotates on its axis at almost the same speed as Earth. That’s why a day on Mars – called a Sol – lasts nearly as long as a day on Earth: 24 hours and 39 minutes. That’s just 39 minutes longer than an Earth day.
A Year on Mars
Now, you might think that a year on Mars is similar to a year on Earth. Not at all! Since Mars is farther from the Sun, it takes 687 Earth days to complete one orbit. That’s almost two Earth years.
Does Mars Have Seasons?
Yes! Just like on Earth, seasons on Mars are caused by the tilt of its axis. Earth is tilted at 23.5°, while Mars is tilted at 25.2° – so they are quite similar.
However, since a Martian year is nearly twice as long, the seasons on Mars also last twice as long as those on Earth.
How Long Does It Take to Travel to Mars?
That depends on when you launch. The best time to send a spacecraft to Mars is when Earth and Mars are closest to each other – this happens about every two years.
- Average travel time: 9 months (according to NASA)
- Fastest missions so far:
Gravity on Mars
On Mars, you could jump three times higher than on Earth!
Why? The gravity there is 62% lower. A person weighing 80 kg on Earth would weigh only 30 kg on Mars.
Sounds cool, right? But low gravity also has downsides: It causes muscle loss and bone weakening – a real challenge for future Mars colonists.
How Cold Is It on Mars?
If you think winters on Earth are cold, wait until you hear about Mars:
- Average temperature: -63°C
- Extreme temperatures: -100°C to 0°C
For comparison: That’s even colder than Antarctica!
Martian Sandstorms – The Largest in the Solar System!
Mars has massive sandstorms that can engulf the entire planet for weeks. One such storm ended the mission of the Opportunity rover in 2018. Opportunity relied on solar power, and when the storm blocked the Sun, it could no longer recharge.
Modern Mars rovers, like Perseverance, now carry small nuclear power generators to avoid this issue.