Mars

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/mars

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. How tall is Mars?Olympus Mons (21.9 km height)
2. What is the scientific name?Mars
3. What is the orbital position?Fourth planet from the Sun
4. What makes Mars look red?The dust on Mars contains iron oxide, which gives the planet its reddish color.
5. Why is Mars colder than Earth?Mars has a very thin atmosphere made mostly of carbon dioxide, so it can't keep heat in and temperatures drop a lot.

Terrestrial Planet: A planet composed primarily of silicate rocks or metals, with a solid surface.
Atmospheric Pressure: The force exerted by the weight of the atmosphere on a surface.
Magnetosphere: The region surrounding a planet where its magnetic field can deflect charged particles from the solar wind.
Noachian Period: An early geological epoch of Mars, characterized by heavy cratering and potential surface water.