18.
18

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
+ _

The Mars Curiosity Rover has found out a great deal since it started its explorations in 2012. One of its important tools is a camera, and this has taken many images that show us what the surface of planet Mars is like.

Science Resource Image

NASA

Describe what you see in this view of Mars.
There are mountains, and rocks, and dust or soil which looks a reddish colour. There is no visible water, or plants and animals.

More Information!

Cameras don’t always show objects in their true colours. Watch this video from Aberystwyth University which shows how the colours of objects on Mars could be corrected and interpreted:

Find Out More >

Many of the rocks on Mars, as well as dust and soil, contain iron oxide (haematite, Fe3O2), and the iron present in this compound gives a reddish colour. This photograph shows a close-up of nodules (or ‘blueberries’) of rock containing iron oxide on Mars. Scientists are not yet sure how such strange shapes came to be formed.

Science Resource Image

NASA/JPL/Cornell/USGS