How to Research Mars

Mars is the planet closest to Earth and will most likely be the first subject of manned exploration. This little planet has so much to offer to students not only of science, but also of history and mythology, thanks to Greek and Roman legend. The following steps will aid in your search for a wide variety of information about this fascinating planet.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Internet
• Books about astronomy
• Books about Greek and Roman mythology

1. Search science and astronomy Web sites and books to learn about the best-known aspect of Mercury--the popular belief that it is the planet most likely to harbor life (besides Earth). Make sure to look for facts about Mars' atmosphere, surface temperature, mass and orbit.
2. Read up on mythology and ancient astronomy. Look for information about the planet's place in Roman mythology as the god of war, probably due to its red color, and in Greek mythology as Ares. Also make sure to look for facts about Greek astronomy.
3. Look for information about how Mars was considered the best candidate for harboring extraterrestrial life before space exploration. Astronomers thought they saw straight lines crisscrossing its surface, leading to the popular belief that irrigation canals on the planet had been constructed by intelligent beings. We now know these features are simply natural landforms caused by ancient lava or water flows.
4. Remember that Mars is easily visible with the unaided eye when it is in the nighttime sky. Mars appears as a small red disk through telescopes and features on the surface, especially the white ice caps, are best viewed every two years when it is at its closest to the Earth.
5. Explore how the canyons and dried up river bed on Mars suggest that water once flowed there abundantly, leaving open the question of life on Mars at some time in the distant past. Be sure to also study how Mars currently prevents the formation of living organisms.
6. Look at the first close-up pictures of Mars taken by Mariner 4 in July of 1965 as well as those of Viking 1 and 2 that touched down on the surface of Mars in July and September 1976. Learn how the three biology experiments aboard the landers provided no clear evidence for the presence of living microorganisms in the soil near the landing sites.
7. Learn about the geological data and many pictures sent by Mars Pathfinder in 1997 and the Mars Expedition Rovers "Spirit" and "Opportunity" in 2004. The Mars orbiters (Mars Global Surveyor, Mars Odyssey and Mars Express) are also currently in operation.

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