People have always been interested in uncharted expanses of space. The studies of other planets attracted many scientists, and the common man is interested in the question of what is there in space? First of all, scientists pay attention to the planets of the solar system. Since they are closest to Earth and easier to study. The mysterious red planet - Mars is especially actively studied. Let's find out which planet is larger - Mars or Earth, and try to understand what makes the red celestial body so attractive to us.
Brief description of the planets of the solar system. Their sizes
From Earth, all the planets of our system seem to us to be small luminous points that are hard to see with the naked eye. It is different from all Mars - it seems to us larger than other celestial bodies, and sometimes even without telescopic equipment you can see its orange light.
Which planet is bigger: Mars or Earth? Do we see Mars so well because its size is huge, or is it just closer to us? Let's figure it out. To do this, we successively consider the sizes of all the planets belonging to the solar system. They were divided into two groups.
Earth group of planets
Mercury is the smallest planet. In addition, it is closest to the rest of the Sun. Its diameter is 4878 km.
Venus is the planet following the remoteness from the Sun and the closest to the Earth. The temperature of its surface reaches +5000 degrees Celsius. The diameter of Venus is 12103 km.
The earth is different in that it has an atmosphere and water reserves, which gave the opportunity to begin life. Its size is slightly larger than Venus and is 12 765 km .
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun. Mars is smaller than the Earth and has a diameter at the equator of 6786 km. Its atmosphere is almost 96% carbon dioxide. Mars has a more elongated orbit of rotation than the Earth.
Giant planets
Jupiter is the largest of the planets in the solar system. Its diameter is 143,000 km. It consists of gas, which is in a swirling motion. Jupiter rotates around its axis very quickly, in about 10 Earth hours it makes a complete revolution. It is surrounded by 16 satellites.
Saturn is a planet that can rightly be called unique. Its structure has the smallest density. Saturn is also known for its rings, whose width is 115,000 km and a thickness of 5 km. He is the second largest planet in the solar system. Its size is 120,000 km.
Uranus is unusual in that it can be seen with a telescope in blue-green. This planet also consists of gases that travel at a speed of 600 km / h. The diameter is a little over 51,000 km.
Neptune consists of a mixture of gases, most of which is methane. It is because of this that the planet has acquired a blue color. Neptune's surface is shrouded in clouds of ammonia and water. The size of the planet is 49 528 km.
The most distant planet from the Sun is Pluto, it does not belong to any of the groups of planets of the Solar system. Its diameter is half that of Mercury and is 2,320 km.
Characteristic of the planet Mars. Features of the Red Planet and a comparison of its size with the size of the Earth
So we examined the sizes of all the planets of the solar system. Now you can answer the question of which planet is larger - Mars or Earth. A simple comparison of the diameter of the planets can help. The sizes of Mars and the Earth differ by half. The red planet is almost half smaller than our Earth.
Mars is a very interesting space object to study. The mass of the planet is 11% of the mass of the Earth. The temperature on its surface varies during the day from +270 to -700 degrees C. The sharp difference is due to the fact that the atmosphere of Mars is not so dense and consists mainly of carbon dioxide.
Description of Mars begins with an emphasis on its rich red color. I wonder what caused this? The answer is simple - the composition of the soil, rich in iron oxides, and an increased concentration of carbon dioxide in its atmosphere. For such a specific color, the ancient people called the planet bloody and gave it a name in honor of the Roman god of war - Ares.
The surface of the planet is mostly deserted, but there are also dark areas whose nature has not yet been studied. The northern hemisphere of Mars is a plain, and the southern one is slightly elevated from the middle level and is dotted with craters.
Many do not know, but on Mars is the highest mountain in the entire solar system - Olympus. Its height from the base to the top is 21 km. The width of this hill is 500 km.
Is life possible on Mars?
All the works of astronomers are aimed at finding signs of life in space. In order to study Mars for the presence of living cells and organisms on its surface, Mars rovers visited this planet repeatedly.
Numerous expeditions have already proved that water was previously present on the Red Planet. It is there now, only in the form of ice, and it is hidden under a thin layer of stone soil. The presence of water is also confirmed by photographs on which the channels of the Martian rivers are clearly visible.
Many scientists want to prove that man can adapt to life on Mars. The following facts are given in evidence of such a theory:
- Almost the same speed of motion of Mars and the Earth.
- The similarity of gravitational fields.
- Carbon dioxide can be used to produce vital oxygen.
Perhaps in the future, the development of technology will allow us to easily make interplanetary travel and even settle on Mars. But first of all, mankind must preserve and protect its own planet - Earth, so that you never have to think about which planet is larger - Mars or Earth, and whether the red planet will be able to accept all the migrants who wish.