Adirondack Sky Center
Tupper Lake, New York
Set Default TextSet Donate Text
Astro Quiz 5: Mars, the Red Planet

Question #5 – Why is Mars called the Red Planet?

Answer: The soil and rocks on the surface of Mars contain iron. Over time, winds and erosion on Mars have caused oxygen to combine with the iron creating iron oxide or, as it is commonly called, rust.

For more information, please read this article at spaceanswers.com

Mars appears as a red-orange globe with darker blotches and white ice caps visible on both of its poles. Image credit: ESA

Stargaze With Us!
http://adirondackskycenter.org/RORO
Donate
https://crm.bloomerang.co/HostedDonation?ApiKey=pub_4d60bc56-a4cb-11e9-9f3d-0aa640fb8062&WidgetId=163840