Red Planet Day is celebrated every year on November 28th. This day marks the launch of NASA’s Mariner 4 mission in 1964, an endeavor that brought groundbreaking data and imagery of Mars back to Earth for the first time.
Mars: An Overview
Mars holds the distinction of being the fourth planet from the sun, as well as the second smallest planet in our Solar System, approximately half the size of Earth. Despite its smaller size, Mars shares a number of striking similarities with our home planet.
Earth-like Characteristics of Mars
One of such resemblances lies in its rotational and orbital properties. Mars completes a rotation roughly every 24.6 hours, closely paralleling Earth’s 23.9-hour rotational period. The tilt of Mars’ axis of rotation, 25 degrees relative to its orbit around the sun, also mirrors Earth’s axial tilt of 23.4 degrees. Owing to this tilt, Mars experiences distinct seasons like Earth, although they tend to last longer.
The Martian Day
A day on Mars is referred to as a “sol,” derived from ‘solar day’. Sols are a key metric used in Mars explorations and scientific studies.
Unique Features of Mars
The distinguishing reddish appearance of Mars can be attributed to the oxidation or rusting of iron found in the planet’s rocks and dust. This unique coloration has earned it the nickname, the Red Planet. Mars is home to Olympus Mons, the largest volcano known to us in the solar system. It also possesses two small moons, Phobos and Deimos.
Exploring the Red Planet: Noteworthy Missions
NASA has contributed significantly to Mars exploration with a lander (Mars Insight), two rovers (Curiosity and Perseverance), and three orbiters (Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, Mars Odyssey, MAVEN). Other noteworthy missions include the ExoMars rover launched by the European Space Agency in 2021, China’s Tianwen-1 Mars Mission, and UAE’s Hope Mars Mission, which was the UAE’s first-ever interplanetary mission, both conducted in 2021.
India’s Contribution to Mars Exploration
India entered the realm of Martian exploration with its Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) or Mangalyaan in 2013, marking a significant milestone for the country’s space programs.
Martian Missions: A Historical Perspective
The Soviet Union contributed to the early explorations of Mars with their Mars 2 and Mars 3 missions in 1971.
Remembering Past UPSC Questions
On multiple occasions, the UPSC Civil Services Examination has included questions pertaining to Mars and its exploration. The questions range from the specifics of individual missions such as the Evolved Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (eLISA) and India’s Mangalyaan to more general knowledge about the characteristics of the Red Planet.
Conclusion
All this information underlines the importance of Mars in our understanding of the Solar System, and the significance of Red Planet Day as an opportunity to celebrate and reflect on human endeavors related to Mars.
