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• Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun, and is the seventh largest planet in the Solar System. Although its size and atmosphere are very different, many of its geographical features are similar to Earth's. In January 2009, scientists reported finding large amounts of methane gas located over the northern polar region in the summer months. Many believe this finding could indicate micro organisms alive on Mars.Fox News: Coulds of Methane May Mean Life... (January 15, 2009)

  In June 2009, a group of researchers at the University of Colorado at Boulder found evidence of the existence of a "deep, ancient lake" on Mars. The lake was estimated to be 80 square miles, up to 1,500 feet deep and to have existed approximately three billion years ago.Space.com: Evidence Found for Ancient Mars Lake (June 17, 2009) According to discovery.com, August27 is becoming Mars Hoax Day.

• Fast Facts

  1. Discovered in ancient times
  2. First observed through a telescope by Galileo in 1610
  3. Earth has launched 38 missions to explore MarsNPR: Past Blasts to Mars (May 22, 2008)
  4. Most recent mission: NASA's Mars Phoenix Lander
  5. Radius: 3,397 kilometers (53% of Earth's radius)
  6. Circumference: 21,344 kilometers
  7. Surface area: 144.1 million square kilometers (28% of Earth's)
  8. Mass: 6.4185x10²³ kilograms (11% of Earth's)
  9. Average distance from the Sun: 227.9 million kilometers
  10. 2 moons: Phobos and DeimosNASA: Mars - Facts & Figures
  11. 1. Carbon Dioxide
      : 95.32%
  12. 1. Nitrogen
      : 2.7%
  13. 1. Argon
      : 1.6%
  14. 1. Oxygen
      : 0.13%
  15. 1. Carbon Monoxide
      : 0.008%
  16. 1. Trace amounts of Water, Nitrogen Oxide, Neon, Hydrogen-Deuterium Oxygen, Krypton, Xenon

• Methane

  The scientific discovery of methane in the Martian atmosphere led many scientists to believe that life exists on Mars. Methane is normally the bi-product of organic life, although it may be created through geological processes. However, it breaks down quickly in sunlight and since Mars' volcanoes have been dormant for thousands of years, scientists believe micro organisms could be responsible for the methane emissions.Fox News: Coulds of Methane May Mean Life... (January 15, 2009)

• Family Resemblance

  Photos sent by the Mars Phoenix Lander and other past missions have revealed that the geography of Mars is similar to Earth's. Many features resemble riverbeds, gullies, and flood plains.NASA-JPL: Mars - Follow the Water...

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Sun | NASA | Plate Tectonics | Avalanche on Mars | Phoenix Lander Photos | Mars Phoenix Lander | Mars Rovers

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