Why is Mars similar to Earth? How is it so?

Question

Please give me 3 reasons!

Thanks =)

Answer 1

Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun in our solar system and is named after Mars, the Roman god of war. Mars is also known as the "Red Planet" due to its reddish appearance when seen from Earth. The prefix areo-, from the Greek god of war, Ares, refers to Mars in the same way geo- refers to Earth.

Mars has two moons, Phobos and Deimos, which are small and oddly-shaped. These may be captured asteroids similar to 5261 Eureka, a Mars Trojan asteroid. Mars can be seen from Earth with the naked eye. Its apparent magnitude reaches -2.9, a brightness surpassed only by Venus, the Moon, and the Sun. For much of the year, Jupiter may appear brighter to the naked eye than Mars.

Until the first flyby of Mars by Mariner 4 in 1965, it was hoped, both within and especially perhaps outside scientific circles, especially in the popular media and literary circles, that Mars had ample liquid water. This was based on observations of periodic variations in light and dark patches, particularly in the polar latitudes, and long dark striations that could perhaps even be irrigation channels of liquid water.

These straight line features were shown in fact not to exist when they were subsequently analyzed and explained as optical illusions. Still, of all the planets in our solar system other than Earth, Mars is the most likely to harbor liquid water, and perhaps life, so the myth has had enough influence that even now probes carry packages to attempt to find microscopic life. Mars' rotational period and seasonal cycles are also similar to those of the Earth. It has the highest mountain in the solar system, Olympus Mons, the largest canyon in the solar system, Valles Marineris, and polar ice caps.

Mars is currently host to four orbiting spacecraft: Mars Global Surveyor, Mars Odyssey, Mars Express, and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. This is more than any planet except Earth. It is also home to the two Mars Exploration Rovers (Spirit and Opportunity).

The red/orange appearance of Mars' surface is caused by iron(III) oxide (rust).[1] Mars has half the radius of the Earth and only one-tenth the mass, being less dense, but its surface area is only slightly less than the total area of Earth's dry land.[2] While Mars is larger and more massive than Mercury, Mercury has slightly stronger gravity at the surface, due to its much higher density.

The surface of Mars is thought to be primarily composed of basalt, based upon the Martian meteorite collection and orbital observations. There is some evidence that a portion of the Martian surface might be more silica-rich than typical basalt, perhaps similar to andesitic stones on Earth, though these observations may also be explained by silica glass. Much of the surface is deeply covered by iron(III) oxide dust as fine as talcum powder.[3]
Photo of microscopic rock forms indicating past signs of water, taken by Opportunity
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Photo of microscopic rock forms indicating past signs of water, taken by Opportunity

There is conclusive evidence that liquid water existed at one time on the surface of Mars. Key discoveries leading to this conclusion include the detection of various minerals such as hematite and goethite which usually only form in the presence of water.[4]

Although Mars has no intrinsic magnetic field, observations have revealed that parts of the planet's crust have been magnetized. This magnetization has been compared to alternating bands found on the ocean floors of Earth. One theory, published in 1999 and reexamined in October 2005 with the help of the Mars Global Surveyor, is that these bands are evidence of the past operation of plate tectonics on Mars.[5] Polar wandering could also explain this paleomagnetism.

Answer 2

Well it belongs in the same area as Earth, and therefore has similar effects being placed upon it, it has been thought to have life on it, which is very possible due to the fact that Mars was once in the exact position from the sun Earth is now, and obviously has very similar geographic features such as canyons, volcanoes, and valleys.

Answer 3

1. Both planets have seasons.

2. Both planets have an atmosphere, of some type

3. Both planets have polar ice caps.

Answer 4

It is the only other inner planet to have Polar Ice Caps for one...

Answer 5

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars

Answer 6

they are both about 4.6 billion years old, they are in the same solar system and they both have gravity.