Mars Trivia: Martian Moons, Olympus Mons, Seasons, Water, and Future Missions to Mars

Martian Moons

Mars has two moons named Phobos and Deimos. They are small compared to Earth's moon and have irregular shapes. Scientists think these moons may be captured asteroids because of their strange orbits. Phobos and Deimos are named after the sons of the Greek god of war, Ares, who is the equivalent of the Roman god Mars.

Olympus Mons

Olympus Mons is the tallest volcano in the solar system, found on Mars. It's about three times taller than Mount Everest, Earth's tallest mountain. Olympus Mons is a shield volcano, meaning it has a broad, gently sloping shape. It's thought to be inactive, meaning it hasn't erupted in a long time.

The Martian Seasons

Mars experiences seasons similar to Earth due to its axial tilt. However, Martian seasons are about twice as long because Mars takes longer to orbit the Sun. During the Martian winter, temperatures can drop to extreme lows, while summers can be relatively mild.

Water on Mars

Scientists have found evidence that liquid water once flowed on the surface of Mars. They have discovered dried-up riverbeds, lakebeds, and minerals that can only form in the presence of water. This suggests that Mars may have had a warmer and wetter climate in the past.

Future Missions to Mars

Several space agencies, including NASA and SpaceX, have plans for future missions to Mars. These missions aim to explore the Martian surface, search for signs of past or present life, and prepare for eventual human exploration. Some proposed missions include sending astronauts to Mars and establishing permanent human settlements on the red planet.

Pop Quiz!

Can you name all 5 robotic rovers sent by NASA?

Quiz Video

Test your Space and Astronomy trivia knowledge with the following video!