People have always been interested in the unknown expanses of space. Studies of other planets have 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 the Earth and are easier to study. The mysterious red planet, Mars, is being studied especially actively. Let's find out which planet is larger - Mars or Earth, and try to understand why the red celestial body is so attractive to us.
A brief description of the planets of the solar system. Their sizes
From the Earth, all the planets of our system seem to us small luminous dots that are hard to see with the naked eye. Mars is different from all - it seems to us larger than other celestial bodies, and sometimes even without telescopic equipment you can see its orangelight.
Which planet is larger: Mars or Earth? Do we see Mars so well because it is huge, or is it just closer to us? Let's look into this issue. To do this, we will sequentially 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 Sun than all the others. Its diameter is 4878 km.
Venus is the planet next farthest from the Sun and closest to the Earth. The temperature of its surface reaches +5000 degrees Celsius. The diameter of Venus is 12103 km.
Earth is different in that it has an atmosphere and water reserves, which made it possible for life to arise. Its size is slightly larger than Venus and is 12,765 km.
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun. Mars is smaller than Earth and has a diameter of 6786 km at the equator. Its atmosphere is almost 96% carbon dioxide. Mars has a more elongated orbit than 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 vortex 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 justifiably be called unique. Its structure has the smallest density. Saturn is also known for its rings,which are 115,000 km wide and 5 km thick. It is the second largest planet in the solar system. Its size is 120,000 km.
Uranus is unusual in that it can be seen in a blue-green color with a telescope. This planet also consists of gases that move at a speed of 600 km/h. The diameter is just over 51,000 km.
Neptune is made up of a mixture of gases, most of which is methane. It is because of this that the planet acquired a blue color. The surface of Neptune 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 in the solar system. Its diameter is half that of Mercury and is 2320 km.
Characteristics of the planet Mars. Features of the Red Planet and comparison of its size with the size of the Earth
So we looked at the size of all the planets in the solar system. Now you can answer the question of which planet is larger - Mars or Earth. A simple comparison of planetary diameters can help with this. Mars and Earth are twice the size. The red planet is almost half the size of 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 throughout the day from +270 to -700 degrees C. The sharp drop is due to the fact that the atmosphere of Mars is not so dense and consists mainly of carbon dioxide.
The description of Mars begins with an emphasis on its rich red color. It's interesting thatcaused this? The answer is simple - the composition of the soil, rich in iron oxides, and the increased concentration of carbon dioxide in its atmosphere. For such a specific color, 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 desert, but there are also dark areas, the nature of which has not yet been studied. The northern hemisphere of Mars is a plain, while the southern hemisphere is slightly raised from the average level and dotted with craters.
Many don't know, but Mars has the highest mountain in the entire solar system - Olympus Olympus. Its height from base to 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, rovers have repeatedly visited this planet.
Numerous expeditions have already proven that water was previously present on the Red Planet. It is still there, 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 the images, which clearly show the beds of Martian rivers.
Many scientists want to prove that humans can adapt to life on Mars. The following facts are given to prove this theory:
- Almost the same speed of Mars and Earth.
- The similarity of gravitational fields.
- Carbon dioxide can be used to get liferequired 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, humanity must preserve and protect its native planet - the Earth, so that you never have to wonder which planet is larger - Mars or Earth, and whether the red planet will be able to accept all willing migrants.
