Easy Space Trivia Questions About Mars

What is mars?
A: Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun and the second-smallest planet in the Solar System, after Mercury.

Mars was named after what?
A: The Roman god of war.

Why is it often referred to as the "Red Planet”?
A: Because the iron oxide prevalent on its surface gives it a reddish appearance.

Mars is a terrestrial planet with a “what” kind of atmosphere?
A: Thin.

Mars has surface features reminiscent of what?
A: Both of the impact craters of the Moon and the valleys, deserts, and polar ice caps of Earth.

The rotational period and seasonal cycles of Mars are similar to those of what planet?
A: Earth, as is the tilt that produces the seasons.

Mars is the site of Olympus Mons, which is what?
A: The largest volcano and second-highest known mountain in the Solar System.

Mars is the site of Valles Marineris, one of the largest “what” in the Solar System?
A: Canyons.

The smooth Borealis basin in the northern hemisphere covers what percent of the planet?
A: 40%.

The Borealis basin may be a giant what?
A: Impact feature.

How many moons does Mars have?
A: Two.

What are the names of the two moons?
A: Phobos and Deimos.

The moons are small and have what kind of shape?
A: Irregular.

The moons may be captured what?
A: Asteroids.

Future astrobiology missions are planned, including what two missions?
A: The Mars 2020 and ExoMars rovers.

Liquid water cannot exist where?
A: On the surface of Mars.

Why can’t water exist on Mars as liquid?
A: Because of the low atmospheric pressure.

The two polar ice caps appear to be made of what?
A: Water.

The ice in the south polar ice cap, if melted, would be enough water to cover what?
A: The entire planetary surface to a depth of 11 meters (36 ft).

On November 22, 2016, NASA reported finding a large amount of what?
A: Underground ice.

Where did they find it?
A: In the Utopia Planitia region of Mars.

The amount of water detected is estimated to be equivalent to the amount of water in what lake on earth?
A: Lake Superior.

Mars can easily be seen from Earth with what?
A: The naked eye, as can its reddish coloring.