Four billion years ago, Mars may have had an atmosphere rich with oxygen that provided conditions conducive to life despite losing much of its atmosphere to space. Making Mars habitable doesn’t need to be an herculean undertaking – researchers say patches can be transformed quickly and affordably by layering thin silica aerogel sheets on its […]
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Scientists are still exploring whether Mars was ever home to life in its past and exploring methods to extract water from its soil. To gain a better understanding of this intriguing planet, we turned to some LSU experts for insight on its many mysteries and quarries. They provided answers to some commonly-asked questions regarding Mars.
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Mars, located four planets from the Sun and with two moons, has a reddish hue similar to our Earth. Polar ice caps and geological features suggest it once supported life on this red-hued world. Astronomers studying Mars during the 17th and 18th centuries saw evidence of civilization on Mars, including canals that appeared to carry
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The Sun’s gravity holds together our Solar System, keeping planets, asteroids, meteoroids, as well as microscopic debris in orbit around it. At its core lies nuclear fusion processes which turn hydrogen into helium; all this heat makes up our star. This video from BBC Planet Earth series, hosted by David Attenborough. Volume Comparing planet sizes
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Mars, also known as “the Red Planet”, is the fourth planet from our Sun and often referred to by its nickname. Covered in reddish iron oxide, Mars features canyons, volcanoes and dry lake beds on its rocky surface. Additionally, its thin atmosphere contains carbon dioxide, nitrogen and trace amounts of water and methane gasses –
Since 1610, when scientists first made telescopic observations of Mars through telescopes, scientists have been mapping and studying it. Recently, three missions – China’s Tianwen-1 probe, United Arab Emirates Hope probe and NASA Perseverance rover – have used Mars’ 26 month orbital period to gather new information. Orbiters have provided more clarity, disproving theories about
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Many people ask which planet is nearest the earth, yet finding an accurate answer can be challenging due to how all planets orbit elliptically rather than circularly and can come close at different times. Mercury tends to be closer than Venus on average, even though it often goes unnoticed in comparison with larger and more
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Due to its closeness to the Sun, Mercury experiences extreme temperatures during daylight. At nighttime without an atmosphere to retain warmth, however, its warmth quickly dissipates into space. Earth is second only in density and features an immense iron core, while Venus boasts greyish-brown skin with bright streaks known as crater rays. Temperature Mercury, being
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Mars has long been a source of fascination. Beginning in the 17th century, astronomers used telescopes to observe it closely and discover its polar ice caps. Romans transformed Mars from an ancient god of war into one who represented virility and civic pride, attributing two small moons – Phobos and Deimos – as his guardians.
