BASIC MARS FACTS


Ah, yes. Mars Gravity: 38 percent of Earth-normal gravity...

... Mention that we intend to find plenty of frozen groundwater a few meters beneath the surface of Mars...

--- Shadows of Medusa, Chapter 1



Schweitzer: Since the Medusae Fossae region is close to the equator, the day/night cycles will be fairly even throughout each season. The steady supply of sunlight and warm temperatures should make crop growth and solar power generation feasible. The landing site is low in altitude, so the atmosphere will be dense enough to protect us from much of the radiation hitting Mars. The Medusae Fossae region is located along a natural boundary line between the low northern plains and the southern highlands...

... Schweitzer: Southeast of the landing site, a network of dry lake beds and outflow channels originate from a huge impact crater named Nicholson Crater. We assume glaciers or liquid water carved the channels. Since the channel floors are craterless, they were formed recently, in geologic terms. We're also curious about the "yardangs," deep grooves in the surface most likely caused by wind erosion. And finally, far to the northeast is the mighty Olympus Mons volcano, the highest mountain in the solar system!

--- Shadows of Medusa, Chapter 5




Though Mars is smaller than the Earth, it's still a big, diverse planet with an attitude all its own. Test your knowledge of basic Mars facts by browsing the following web page:


NASA - Basic Mars Facts

If you've already read the novel, I'm sure you knew all the basic information already. After all, the novel is a thinly disguised Mars-science textbook at times. Yet there is always more to know. Mars is a planet shrouded in mystery. As Anna gazed at Mars through her tiny porthole window, she knew - as would any real Mars traveler - that if she could reach the surface, a lifetime's worth of adventure and exploration awaited her.


If you think you're ready for some more advanced info, check out the following web page (and I'll soon add more):


NASA - Mars Technical Area



For additional information about various human space exploration topics, try these links:
Back to INDEX OF SCIENCE TOPICS


Last updated:  July 19, 2007.

E-mail the author:   Brian -dot- Enke -at- gmail -dot- com

Note: all feedback is welcome, especially offers to improve the content of the site or fix errors...











"So, the last thing I want right now is a bunch of reporters snooping around, doing their best to get in the way... not to mention wacko psychopaths, industrial spies, hackers, and whomever else is out there. Even the sympathy of well-wishers would probably smother me right now. "

Chapter 2