Mare Acidalium quadrangle

High school (ages 12+)
Space & Astronomy

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/mare-acidalium-quadrangle

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the geographic designation?Mare Acidalium quadrangle (MC-01), located in the northern hemisphere of Mars
2. What is the dominant geomorphology?Extensive basaltic plains, interpreted as lava flows that filled large impact basins
3. What is the Mare Acidalium quadrangle on Mars?It is a large dark area in Mars’s northern hemisphere that looks like a grumpy face. The region is made of basaltic plains that are darker than the surrounding terrain.
4. Why does Mare Acidalium look like a grumpy face?The dark, low‑light material of the mare contrasts sharply with the lighter areas around it, creating the illusion of a face.

Albedo: The measure of how much light is reflected by a surface; dark surfaces have low albedo.
Mafic Minerals: Minerals rich in magnesium and iron, common in volcanic rocks like basalt.
Biosignatures: Evidence of past or present life, such as fossilized microorganisms or organic molecules.
Remote Sensing: Gathering information about an object or phenomenon from a distance, typically using spacecraft.