Mars

Mars has two small moons, Phobos and Deimos, which are believed to be captured asteroids from the asteroid belt. The planet experiences seasons similar to Earth because it has a tilted axis, although each season lasts about twice as long due to Mars’ longer orbit around the Sun. Temperatures on Mars can vary widely, often dropping below -100 degrees Celsius at night. Scientists are especially interested in the planet’s polar ice caps, which contain frozen water and carbon dioxide. Discoveries of ancient riverbeds, lakebeds, and minerals that form in the presence of water suggest that Mars was once a much warmer and wetter world. These findings fuel hopes that microbial life may have existed there, and they guide future exploration and the dream of human colonization.

Mars has captivated human imagination for centuries, often featured in science fiction as a possible home for alien life or future human civilizations. Its relatively close proximity to Earth makes it a prime target for exploration, and telescopes have revealed detailed images of its surface, including dust storms, craters, and frozen polar regions. The planet's lower gravity—about 38% of Earth's—could present challenges and opportunities for future colonists. Recent missions, such as NASA’s Perseverance rover and China’s Tianwen-1, are not only studying the planet’s geology but also testing technologies that could support human missions, like producing oxygen from the Martian atmosphere. As technology advances, Mars remains a symbol of discovery and the next great step in space exploration.