1. MercuryMercury

3. MercuryMercury
assembled by images from Mariner 4 (1974)assembled by images from Mariner 4 (1974)

4. VenusVenus

6. Venus’ Runaway GreenhouseVenus’ Runaway Greenhouse
EffectEffect
Atmosphere:Atmosphere:
Thick -90 barsThick -90 bars
CO2CO2
Some N, othersSome N, others
Temp: 730KTemp: 730K
= 850 F= 850 F

7. Venus ExplorationVenus Exploration
Fly-bys since 1962Fly-bys since 1962
Probes since 1970Probes since 1970
Orbiters since 70’s –Orbiters since 70’s –
use radar studiesuse radar studies
Magellan – VenusMagellan – Venus
orbiter - 1989orbiter - 1989

8. The Atmosphere of VenusThe Atmosphere of Venus
Venus – albedo = 80%Venus – albedo = 80%
Clouds – Sulfuric AcidClouds – Sulfuric Acid

9. Geology of VenusGeology of Venus
500 MA – Intense500 MA – Intense
VolcanismVolcanism
Rolling plains with 2Rolling plains with 2
highland areashighland areas
Visible volcanicVisible volcanic
depositsdeposits
Torn crust, ridges andTorn crust, ridges and
crackscracks  TectonicTectonic
ForcesForces

10. MarsMars
The Red PlanetThe Red Planet

11. StatisticsStatistics
1.5 AU from Sun1.5 AU from Sun
Orbit: 687 earth-daysOrbit: 687 earth-days
Rotation: 24.5 hoursRotation: 24.5 hours
Color: Reddish (iron in soil)Color: Reddish (iron in soil)
Density: lowDensity: low
Diameter = half of Earth’sDiameter = half of Earth’s
Magnetic Field – noneMagnetic Field – none

12. Cratered Surface of MarsCratered Surface of Mars
Cratering Period from 3 – 4 GACratering Period from 3 – 4 GA

13. Water on MarsWater on Mars

14. Mars’ VolcanoesMars’ Volcanoes
Olympus MonsOlympus Mons

15. Tharsis AreaTharsis Area

16. Valles MarinerisValles Marineris
5000 km long5000 km long
Formed by pressure from belowFormed by pressure from below
Shaped by water and windShaped by water and wind

17. Mars’ SurfaceMars’ Surface
Iron in soilIron in soil
Why not in core?Why not in core?

18. Atmosphere of MarsAtmosphere of Mars

19. Storms on MarsStorms on Mars
Dust Storm and Cyclonic StormDust Storm and Cyclonic Storm

20. Satellites of MarsSatellites of Mars
Phobos and DeimosPhobos and Deimos

21. Life on Mars?Life on Mars?

22. Exploration of MarsExploration of Mars
Fly-bys since 1965Fly-bys since 1965
Orbiter in 1971Orbiter in 1971
Viking 1 and Viking 2Viking 1 and Viking 2
– Landed in 1976– Landed in 1976
Rovers Spirit andRovers Spirit and
Opportunity – stillOpportunity – still
goinggoing