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Pages

1Where is Mars?2How long will it take to get to Mars?3Getting to Mars4How do rockets get off the ground?5Producing Thrust6What happens when rocket fuel burns?7Your mission to Mars!8Our need for oxygen9How oxygen gets to our cells10The effects of gravity11How low gravity affects bones12Preventing bones and muscles from becoming weak13Living and working in space14What do astronomers know about Mars?15A space-craft view of Mars16Exploring Mars17Energy for exploration18The rocky surface of Mars19More about the surface of Mars20The Martian atmosphere21The importance of water22The water cycle on Earth23Is there water on Mars?24Surviving on Mars25Your Martian home26Farming on Mars27Soil on Mars28Plants for Mars29Getting energy on Mars30Where will you go next?

Practicals

1Modelling the solar system in the school yard2Rocket Practical3Investigate the Energy in Fuels4Making a Telescope5What factors affect the output of a solar cell?6Modelling Diffusion7Examining Slides of Blood8What bones are like without calcium salts9Flame Test to Identify Metals10The Different States of Water11Water Purification for Human Consumption12Factors Affecting Germination13Solar Cells for Devices14Mars Bingo
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You have been travelling through space, and now you are getting close to planet Mars. What will you see?

1
Would you see oceans of water on the surface of Mars?
2
Would you see craters similar to those on our Moon?
3
Are there volcanoes on Mars?
4
Are there active volcanoes on Mars?
5
Might you see valleys or canyons on Mars?

More Information!

Find out more about the geography of Mars from NASA's interactive map at:

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Now label your map of Mars!

Drag the names in the list below to where they should appear on an image of Mars

Research Exercise: Postcard from Space

Write a short paragraph on a postcard to send to a family member or friend to tell them what Mars looks like from your space-craft.

More Information!

One valley on Mars has a Welsh name ‘Mawrth Vallis’ (‘Mawrth’ is the Welsh word for ‘Mars’)

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One very clear feature of Mars is ‘Valles Marineris’, or ‘Mariner Valleys’, a vast canyon system that runs along part of the Martian equator (a line around the centre of the planet). From your spacecraft, it would look like the picture below:

Science Resource Image

Courtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech.

Valles Marineris is about 4000 km long, 500km wide, and 8km deep. By contrast, the Grand Canyon in the United States of America is about 800 km long, 30km wide, and 1.6km deep. Use this information to answer the questions below.

1
How much longer is Valles Marineris than the Grand Canyon?
km
2
What is the area covered by Valles Marineris?
km2
3
How many times deeper is Valles Marineris than the Grand Canyon?
times deeper
Science Resource Image

Chensiyuan

More Information!

You can find out more about Valles Marineris on the NASA website!

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