MARS - The 4th planet from the Sun

The planet is named after the god of war, Mars. This red ball of Rock was formed 4.5 billion years ago. It takes 8 months to reach the planet from earth and it takes 10 hours for the light to reach Mars. The planet is a cold planet with almost 80 per cent of carbon dioxide. The planet had water and living organisms around 3 billion years ago. But due to asteroid crashes, the atmosphere changed, releasing gases that covered the atmosphere creating a blanket of cold air. The planet turned cold and thus a new age of cold began. Thick layer of snow covered Mars. After a few years, the atmosphere increased in heat and the clouds faded away. The snow in the permissible heat regions melted. The water evaporated due to intense heat. The land dried and thus it’s the red ball we all know today.

Now, Take a quiz to find out how much you know about the planet

1. The first map of Mars was created by an astronomer from?

2. The first space probes to land on Mars were called the:

3. The highest mountain on Mars is?

4. What’s Mars average surface temperature?

5. The atmosphere on Mars is 95 per cent?

ANSWERS:
1. Italy 2. Viking I and II 3. Olympus Mons 4. -81°F 5. carbon dioxide