Mars the rust planet

Mars is the fourth of eight planets in our solar system and is almost the same size as the Earth. It is composed of a surface deeply covered by fine rust dust.

Mars 4K image

Pan, zoom, or go full-screen with this megapixel image of Mars.

Mars facts

Mars surface features

Here are some major surface features of Mars.

Mars poles

Moons of Mars

Mars has two small moons - both of which may be captured asteroids. Deimos and Phobos are very difficult to see except in large telescopes due to being so close to Mars. Moons are listed by size.

Phobos

Deimos

Mars vs. Earth ratios

Planet sizes are to relative scale.

MARS

diameter = 0.53
gravity = 0.38
radiation = 65
surface pressure = 0.01
solar irradiance = 0.43
total water = 0.0036
day = 1.03
year = 1.9
sun distance = 1.5

EARTH

diameter = 1
gravity = 1
radiation = 1
surface pressure = 1
solar irradiance = 1
total water = 1
day = 1
year = 1
sun distance = 1

Exploration of Mars