Mars Quiz
Since 1992's launch of Mars Observer, significant changes have been made to NASA's exploration of the planet. Which of the following is true?
- According to a New York Times article on September 21, 1999, NASA has tried to contain costs of the most recent Mars missions, Orbiter and Polar Lander, to $327.5 million dollars.
Which of these is not a reason Mars is known as the "red planet"?
- Though we may personify the moon, the ancient Romans were the first to name the planet.
Spanning 336 miles, what is the Olympus Mons?
- This massive volcano also rises 10 miles higher than Mount Everest.
Which of these spacecraft most recently landed on Mars' surface?
- The Pathfinder landed in a boulder-strewn outflow channel known as Ares Vallis on July 4, 1997.
How many Martian moons are there?
- The two Martian moons (dubbed Deimos and Phobos) pale in comparison to the complement of Uranus, which has at least 18 moons.
How does the atmosphere of Mars differ from the Earth?
- The atmosphere of Mars consists mainly of carbon dioxide, with some nitrogen and argon
What's the temperature on an average day on Mars?
- Though the planet's reddish hues make it appear hot, temperatures near the equator range from below 17 degrees Fahrenheit in the daytime to below 130 degrees F at night.
How long is a Mars year?
- The mean distance of Mars from the sun is about 141 million miles, almost twice that of the Earth's.
SNCs, or meteorites from Mars that have been discovered on Earth, were named for the cities in which they were found. Which of these are the original sites?
- 13 SNC's have been discovered, the most recent in 1997.
What was the reason that Percival Lowell, an early authority on Mars, gave for the canal-like grooves on Mars?
- Lowell's seemingly inane claim caused a long-lasting controversy at the beginning of the 20th century.
