What is Mars Made Up Of

Planet Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun. The planet derives its name from that of the Roman god of war - Mars. The 'red planet' has a high composition of iron oxide on its surface and hence flaunts a reddish appearance. Research reveals that Mars is a terrestrial planet. It has a thin atmosphere, replete with surface features such as impact craters, volcanoes, deserts, valleys and even polar ice caps. In fact, it is the home-site of Olympus Mons, the highest mountain in our solar system, as well as the largest canyon, Valles Marineris.

Composition of Planet Mars

Mars exhibits rotational and seasonal cycles that are quite similar to those on Earth. Earlier, photographs provided by the Mariner 4 probe, in 1965, displayed the presence of images that resembled liquid water on the Martian surface. However, later research revealed that the water bodies were optical illusions formed on account of straight line features. Nevertheless, Mars continues to remain the only planet in the solar system believed to be able to harbor liquid water and possibly, life. The presence of ice and hence, the possibility of water, has generated ample support for the functional orbiting of the Mars Express, Mars Odyssey, Mars Global Surveyor, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and the Mars Exploration Rovers: Spirit, Opportunity, and Phoenix lander.

Phobos and Deimos are the two moons of Mars. They are small and irregularly shaped satellites that could be 'captured' asteroids. Mars is one planet that can be seen easily with the naked eye, in the Earth sky. It displays a magnitude of -2.9 and a radius that is half that of the Earth. Nevertheless, this planet is less dense than our home planet, since it has only about 11% of Earth's mass and 15% of its volume. Generated facts reveal a surface area that is slightly lesser than all the land area on Earth. It gets its reddish orange appearance from the high iron(III) oxide surface-content, also referred to as hematite or rust.

Orbital observations reveal that the surface composition of Mars is mainly basalt. There is evidence of silica content too, similar to the composition of the andesitic rocks found back home. Mars does not have an intrinsic magnetic field, but the planet's crust does bear evidence of past magnetization and alternating polarity reversals. The resultant paleomagnetism is displayed in the form of plate tectonics and cessation of the planetary dynamo. Most of the planet's core region comprises iron and about 17% sulfur. The iron sulfide core is molten and displays twice the concentration of all the lighter elements within the Earth's core. There is a silicate mantle around the core, believed to be the result of the planet's tectonic and volcanic features that are now inactive.

The Atmosphere

The surface composition of Mars comprises slightly alkaline soil, rich in magnesium, chloride, sodium and potassium. The presence of these nutrients lead to the presumption that the soil on Mars is conducive to the growth of living organisms. Dedicated pH tests conducted reveal salt perchlorate traces. The planet's low atmospheric pressure rules out the possible availability of liquid water on the surface. Scientists believe that there are large quantities of water trapped beneath the planet's thick cryosphere. The rough surface texture scales, thermal inertia and hydro-volcanic cones correspond to the researched lava flow hypothesis.

Surface studies reveal giant flood channels, tree-like tributary networks,weathering processes, seepage gullies, carbon dioxide frost and movement of dust. Mars is believed to have lost its magnetosphere approximately 4 billion years ago. This resulted in a direct impact of solar winds upon the Martian ionosphere. Ionized atmospheric particles are still observed trailing off the planet, making the surface atmosphere relatively thin. Atmospheric pressure on Mars varies from 0.03 kPa to above 1.155 kPa, with a mean surface level pressure of 0.6 kPa. This planet also displays a gravity that is only around 38% that of the Earth. The composition of Mars' atmosphere comprises:

• Carbon dioxide: 95%.
• Nitrogen: 3%.
• Argon: 1.6%.
• Methane: 30 ppb by volume.
• Oxygen and water: trace amounts.

The atmosphere of Mars allows a temperature of below -200ºF at high altitudes and -40ºF on the surface. Atmospheric temperatures are regulated by the dust blowing around. The dust absorbs sunlight and regulates the temperatures of the atmospheric gases. Thin clouds are observed within the Martian atmosphere, comprising frozen CO2. The wind pattern observed display speeds of about 10 kilometers per hour. Today, dedicated research is being conducted to study the evolution of Mars, after it formed nearly 4.5 billion years ago and various other surface features, in pursuit of the belief that there is a possibility of life on Mars.