MARS FACTS
You’re heading on a mission to Mars! To make decisions as you prepare for the mission you’ll need to know something about the planet you’re going to. Complete each Mars Investigation to learn more about the planet you will be colonizing. Record the information you find in your Mission Journal.
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What was the planet Mars named after? -
What color do you see when you look at a picture of Earth?
What color do you see when you look at a picture of Mars? Why?
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How far away (average distance) from the Sun is Earth?
How far away (average distance) from the Sun is Mars?
How big would the Sun look in the sky on Mars?
How big would the Earth look in the sky on Mars?
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What is the gravity on Mars (what percent) compared to Earth?
What would a person who weighs 100 pounds on Earth weigh on Mars?
What would you weigh on Mars?
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How long is a day on Earth (in Earth hours)?
How long is a day on Mars (in Earth hours)?
Would this affect the amount of time you sleep?
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What is the axis tilt of Earth?
What is the axis tilt of Mars?
Would there be shadows at noon on Mars?
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How many rovers have successfully moved around on Mars?
What are the names of those rovers?
Use NASA’s Mars Trek to find where these rovers are currently located on Mars.
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How long is a year (in Earth days) on Earth?
How long is a year (in Earth days) on Mars?
How old would you be in Mars’ years?
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How long are each of the seasons on Mars?
How would you mark the months by Earth time?
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What is the diameter of Mars’ equator?
What is the diameter of Earth’s equator?
Based on diameters, Mars’ size is what percentage of Earth’s size?
At 50 mph, how long would it take you to drive around Mars’ equator?
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What is the temperature range on Mars?
How does this compare to the temperature range on Earth?
Could you wear the same clothes on Mars that you wear on Earth?
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Is there liquid or frozen water on Mars?
What is the northern polar cap on Mars made of?
What is the southern polar cap on Mars made of?
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What gases make up Mars’ atmosphere?
Which gas makes up the highest percentage?
Could you see long distances on Mars?
Could you breathe in Mars’ atmosphere?
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What is the surface (atmospheric) pressure on Mars?
How does Mars’ surface pressure compare to Earth’s?
Where would you have to go on Earth to find the same atmospheric pressure as on Mars?
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How high are the water ice clouds on Earth?
How high are the water ice clouds on Mars?
Would you expect it to rain Mars?
What is the weather like on Mars?
What protection from the weather would you need on Mars?
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What is the tallest mountain on Earth? How tall is it?
What is the tallest mountain on Mars? How tall is it?
What is the tallest mountain on any planet in our solar system? How tall is it?
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Compare the crust, mantle, core, and soil of Earth and Mars.
Why would Earth and Mars have a similar structure?
What difference might a liquid core make?
What difference do the organic particles in the soil make?
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Is there life on Mars?
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Does Mars have any moons?
If so, how many?
What are the names of any Mars’ moons?
How big are Mars’ moons?
Mars Fact Riddle
After you have learned some facts about Mars, you can apply what you know. Decide what Mars facts will impact the design of your habitat crew’s life support system. Then create a Mars Fact Riddle that is related to one of the four Mars Facts you identified for your life support system.
Create a multiple choice riddle for your life support system model. Don’t forget to include four possible multiple choice answers with your riddle.
Here is an example of a Mars fact riddle:
Plants love me and I also make up most of Mars’ atmosphere.
What am I?