Mars is called the Red Planet. Its distinctive red/orange colour is due to iron oxide (rust, Fe₂O₃) on its surface and dust in its thin atmosphere. Mars is the 4th planet from the Sun and the 2nd smallest planet in the Solar System. ISRO's Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission) successfully reached Mars in 2014, making India the first country to reach Mars in its first attempt.
Mars is called the Red Planet — due to iron oxide (rust/Fe₂O₃) on its surface.
Mars: 4th planet from the Sun; 2 moons — Phobos and Deimos.
Olympus Mons on Mars = tallest volcano in the Solar System (21 km).
Mangalyaan (ISRO, 2014): India was first country to reach Mars in first attempt.
Mars atmosphere: mostly CO₂ (95%); temperature −80°C to 20°C.
NCERT Class 6 Science Chapter 17 — Stars and the Solar System.
Quick Answer: • Which planet is called the Red Planet? → Mars (मंगल ग्रह) • Why is Mars red? → Iron oxide (Fe₂O₃ / rust) on its surface gives it a reddish-orange colour.
Key Facts About Mars:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Position | 4th planet from the Sun |
| Colour | Red/reddish-orange |
| Size | 2nd smallest planet (after Mercury) |
| Diameter | ~6,779 km |
| Moons | 2 — Phobos and Deimos |
| Day (rotation) | 24 hrs 37 min (similar to Earth) |
| Year (revolution) | 687 Earth days |
| Temperature | −80°C to 20°C |
| Atmosphere | Mostly CO₂ (95%); very thin |
| Gravity | ~38% of Earth's gravity |
Why is Mars Called the Red Planet? • Mars surface has iron oxide (rust / ferric oxide / Fe₂O₃) • When iron in the soil reacted with oxygen long ago → rust formed • Reddish dust particles are also present in the thin Martian atmosphere • Even ancient astronomers could see its reddish colour with the naked eye
Notable Features of Mars: • Olympus Mons: tallest volcano in the Solar System (21 km high; 3× Everest) • Valles Marineris: largest canyon in the Solar System (4,000 km long) • Two moons: Phobos (inner, larger) and Deimos (outer, smaller) • No rings • Thin atmosphere — no liquid water on surface today (evidence of ancient rivers found)
Mars Exploration — India: • Mangalyaan (MOM — Mars Orbiter Mission) launched: 5 November 2013 • Mars orbit entered: 24 September 2014 • India = first country to reach Mars in its first attempt • First Asian country to reach Mars • Cost: ₹450 crore (less than Hollywood movie 'Gravity')
Nicknames of Other Planets:
| Planet | Nickname |
|---|---|
| Mars | Red Planet |
| Venus | Morning Star / Evening Star / Earth's Twin |
| Jupiter | King of Planets |
| Saturn | Ringed Planet |
| Earth | Blue Planet / Watery Planet |
| Mercury | Swift Planet |
| Neptune | Blue Planet (also) |
NCERT: Class 6 Science Chapter 17 — Stars and the Solar System
Mars is called the Red Planet. Its red colour is due to iron oxide (Fe₂O₃/rust) present on its surface and in its thin atmosphere. Mars is the 4th planet from the Sun, has 2 moons (Phobos and Deimos), and houses Olympus Mons — the tallest volcano in the Solar System. ISRO's Mangalyaan reached Mars in 2014 — India was the first country to do so in its first attempt.
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