What Are the Key Characteristics of Mars?

Uncover the key characteristics of Mars - its size, temperature, gravity, distance from the Sun, moons, population, and more.

What Are the Key Characteristics of Mars?
Photo by SIMON LEE

Mars, also known as the Red Planet, is the fourth planet from the Sun in our solar system. It is a fascinating celestial body that has captivated the attention of scientists and space enthusiasts for centuries.

Mars distance from the Sun

Mars and the sun in space
Mars and the sun / Photo By: Kevin M. Gill

Mars is located approximately 142 million miles away from the Sun.

Where is mars in the sky?

Mars in the sky
Mars in the center left side / Photo By: Farid Char/ESO

From Earth, Mars is often seen as a bright reddish object in the night sky, making it easily identifiable.

What is the size of mars?

earth and mars size comparison
Earth and Mars Comparison / Photo By: Unnamed Author

Mars has a diameter of about 4,220 miles, making it roughly half the size of Earth. It has a rocky surface with numerous impact craters, volcanoes, and expansive plains.

What is the temperature of mars?

Visualization of Mars surface
Visualization of Mars surface / Photo by Daniele Colucci

The average temperature on Mars is extremely cold, ranging from -80 degrees Fahrenheit to -195 degrees Fahrenheit. Its thin atmosphere, composed mostly of carbon dioxide, does little to insulate the planet.

What is the gravity on Mars?

Astronaut in a space suit from a recent trip to Kennedy Space Center.
Astronaut in Space Suite / Photo by Brian McGowan

The gravity on Mars is about 38% of the gravity on Earth. This means that if you were to weigh 100 pounds on Earth, you would only weigh around 38 pounds on Mars.

How Many Moons does Mars Have?

NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona, Giuseppe Donatiello
HiRISE instrument on
Phobos and Deimos / Photo By: Giuseppe Donatiello

Mars has two small moons, Phobos and Deimos. These moons are irregularly shaped and are believed to be captured asteroids.

What is the population on Mars?

Currently, there is no permanent population on Mars. While there have been plans and discussions about future human missions, no human has set foot on the planet yet.

What is the Orbital Period of Mars?

Photo by NASA

It takes Mars approximately 687 Earth days, or roughly 1.9 years, to complete one orbit around the Sun.

Why is Mars called The Red Planet?

Planetary Volumes Mars
Mars - The Red Planet / Photo by Planet Volumes

Mars is often referred to as the Red Planet due to its reddish appearance. The surface of Mars contains iron-rich minerals that oxidize, giving it a reddish color.


Did you know that Mars is home to the tallest volcano in the solar system? Olympus Mons, a shield volcano on Mars, stands at a staggering height of about 13.6 miles!