Mars is the 4th planet in the Solar System, placed after Earth. The average distance between the Sun and Mars is 227.9 million km, and the distance between the Sun and the Earth is on average 149.6 million km. This planet is also known as "Red Planet" because it has a color like the rust, this color is originated by minerals rich in iron (which are located on its surface).
Temperature
Mars is a very cold planet, and its average temperature is -80 ° C. The maximum temperature that this planet can reach is 27ºC, but only happens during the summer. And the minimum temperature reached is -140ºC, and it happens essentially during the winter. Although there is water on this planet, it only exists in the solid and gaseous state, as a consequence of the low temperatures of Mars.
Gravity
On Mars, there is only 1/3 (one third) of Earth's gravity. This makes everything lighter; 1 kg on Earth equals 0.38 kg on Mars. For example, a person weighing 60 kg on Earth, on Mars weighs 22.8 kg. The fact that gravity on this planet is smaller than also causes everything falls more slowly than it does on Earth.
Sandstorms
The atmosphere of Mars is composed mainly of carbon dioxide; It is an atmosphere 100 times less dense than the Earth, but although it can withstand very strong winds. On this planet it is very common to have sandstorms, because of the winds; making the whole planet stay covered by the iron minerals, giving it the red look.
Water on Mars
Traces of water, such as channels and valleys, were found indicating that there was liquid water circulating on Mars; this water may still be in cracks in the rocks. All these traces indicate that there may have existed or still exist life on this planet.
Volcanoes
Mars is also the planet of the Solar System with the largest volcanoes; the largest is the Olympus Mons (with 600 km in diameter and 24 km in altitude).
