Inner (Terrestrial) Planets – Mercury, Venus, Earth, MARS Inner (Terrestrial) Planets – Mercury, Venus, Earth, MARS Outer Planets – Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
many impact craters, no signs of civilization many impact craters, no signs of civilization (but limited resolution, limited area seen)
NORTH POLAR ICE CAP grows & shrinks with seasons – mix of dry ice (CO2) & water ice (H2O)
Extinct Volcano – 14 miles high Extinct Volcano – 14 miles high (highest mountain in solar system)
Valley 2500 miles long, 12 miles wide, 4.5 miles deep Valley 2500 miles long, 12 miles wide, 4.5 miles deep (largest in the solar system)
One of the largest impact craters in the solar system One of the largest impact craters in the solar system (1400 miles wide, over 4 miles deep)
(evidence of water flow in planet’s past?) (evidence of water flow in planet’s past?)
Many surface markings on Mars suggest former presence of liquid water (suggests planet was warmer and wetter in distant past)
Landers - V=Viking (1976) , P=Phoenix (2008) Landers - V=Viking (1976) , P=Phoenix (2008) Rovers – Soj = Sojourner (1997), Sp = Spirit (2004), Opportunity (2004), Curiosity (2012)
Viking also dug into soil for evidence of life Viking also dug into soil for evidence of life (found no incontrovertible evidence)
Lander (Pathfinder) made bounce landing on airbags Lander (Pathfinder) made bounce landing on airbags
Rover carried scientific equipment to identify minerals in rocks Rover carried scientific equipment to identify minerals in rocks
The larger Mars Exploration Rovers (Spirit and Opportunity) landed in 2004 The larger Mars Exploration Rovers (Spirit and Opportunity) landed in 2004 Spirit lasted until 2010, Opportunity still going!
Bounce landing into Eagle Crater (about 25 yards wide, 1 yard deep) Bounce landing into Eagle Crater (about 25 yards wide, 1 yard deep) After examining rock outcrops in Eagle Crater, rover moved on to other craters
Believed to be Sedimentary Rock Deposited in Ancient Lake Believed to be Sedimentary Rock Deposited in Ancient Lake
The Rover spent two years at this crater, first studying The Rover spent two years at this crater, first studying rocks along the rim - and later the interior
Earlier rovers powered by solar panels Earlier rovers powered by solar panels Curiosity powered by radioactivity (plutonium)
Bigger and heavier (2000 pounds) Bigger and heavier (2000 pounds) with more scientific equipment than earlier rovers (to measure composition of rocks, look for evidence of past water, livability of Mars)
(Mars Science Laboratory) (Mars Science Laboratory)
Nose cone reduces air resistance during launch Nose cone reduces air resistance during launch
Launch of over a million pounds (mostly rocket and fuel), space ship to Mars over 8,000 pounds – all to land 2,000-pound rover Curiosity Launch of over a million pounds (mostly rocket and fuel), space ship to Mars over 8,000 pounds – all to land 2,000-pound rover Curiosity
Spaceship typically travels about 300 million miles Spaceship typically travels about 300 million miles and about 8 months to reach Mars
Slowed by parachute and downward-directed rockets, lowered on “sky crane” Slowed by parachute and downward-directed rockets, lowered on “sky crane”
Plans to explore Mount Sharp, mountain in center of crater (layered rock, thought to be sedimentary)
Curiosity landed about 5 miles from Mount Sharp, and will be gradually heading there to analyze the layered rocks Curiosity landed about 5 miles from Mount Sharp, and will be gradually heading there to analyze the layered rocks
Photo taken by Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter from about 200 miles above Photo taken by Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter from about 200 miles above
Rocks were rounded by tumbling in flowing water Rocks were rounded by tumbling in flowing water (Curiosity tweets “a river ran through it”)
View from orbiter also shows location of other parts of spacecraft View from orbiter also shows location of other parts of spacecraft
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