MarsIntroductionMars is the fourth planet from the Sun and also the seventh largest in the solar system. The month “March” is derived from his name. Mars has been known and observed since Antiquity. It is often called the red planet. It is believed that people associated the red color of Mars with bloodshed and war; thus giving the reason for its name. People have been studying this planet for centuries and have always been intrigued by Earth's closest celestial neighbor. In 877, Mars' moons Phobos and Deimos were discovered by Asaph Hall. However, it wasn't until 1965 that the first close-up photos were taken when NASA sent the Mariner 4 to visit the Red Planet. These photographs were the world's first images taken of a planet other than Earth. Soon after, in 1976, NASA sent spacecraft to land on Mars. They sent two, Viking 1 and 2. Then, in 1977, the first wheeled rover explored it. Many observations have been made and valuable information has been discovered, which has only increased scientists' curiosity about Mars and its past. Since 2002, visits and studies have been devoted to analyzing frozen water found on Mars. The Mars Expedition Rovers found strong evidence that there was once a liquid on its surface that likely formed the observed channels and canyons. Many other studies and explorations have also been carried out to determine its characteristics, its interactions with the rest of the solar system and possible life on the red planet. Characteristics Among the nine planets in the solar system, Mars is the seventh largest with a mass of 6,421. x1,023 kilograms, an average density of 3.95 g/cm3 and an equatorial radius of 3,393 kilometers. “If the sun were... middle of paper... its terrain. Mars is one of the most studied planets in the solar system, and the study of possible life on the planet is extensive. The research and interest is not yet over and there is still much to learn about Earth's celestial neighbor. Works Cited Coffey, Jerry. universetoday.com. June 5, 2008. online. April 22, 2014.—. universetoday.com. June 4, 2008. online. April 23, 2014. Davis, Phil. nasa.gov. and online. April 22, 2014.nineplanets.org. and online. April 22, 2014. PlanetoftheSolarSystem.net. Planetsofthesolarsystem.net. and online. April 22, 2014. Redd, Nola Taylor. space.com. March 12, 2013. online. April 22, 2014.The Moons of Mars. and online. April 10, 2014.ucls.uchicago.edu. and online. April 22, 2014. Vennerstrom, Susanne. space.dtu.dk. July 11, 2013. online. April 22, 2014. Wall, Mike. space.com. April 3, 2014. online. April 22 2014.