No other planet has been studied as closely as Mars, barring our own planet Earth, of course. But what do we know about the Red Planet? And could humans ever live there?
Join astronomer Brendan Owens online to begin learning everything you need to know about Mars – including its historical, cultural and scientific background and exploratory missions.
Brendan Owen's book Mars: A Beginner's Guide to Exploring the Red Planet is available to purchase from our shop.
Please note the registration link will be sent closer to the time of the lecture.
Planet Mars facts
Size: 6794 km in diameter
Distance from Sun: 228 million km (142 million miles) on average
Average Temperature: Around -65°C (-85°F)
Why is Mars red?
Mars is frequently referred to as the Red Planet. Its unique colour is due to iron minerals in the Martian surface. The iron oxidises or rusts, causing the planet to appear red.
How long is a day on Mars?
The planet Mars rotates in 24 hours and 37 minutes about an axis tilted by 24° to its orbital plane. That makes a day on Mars only slightly longer than a day on Earth. However, a year on Mars is much longer than a year on Earth lasting 687 Earth days or a little under two years.
Learn more about a day on Mars
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Header image courtesy of NASA