Mars, the second-smallest planet in the Solar System, bears the name of the Roman god of war as per the website Cool Cosmos. With its similarities to Earth, it has gained attention from space programs, including Elon Musk's plan for colonization. One of the things scientists consider is the temperature on the Martian surface to determine whether life could thrive on it. So, is Mars hot or cold?
The temperature of a planet's surface depends on factors, such as atmospheric composition, density, water content, and distance from the Sun. Other factors like seasonal effects and the presence of a magnetosphere add additional complexity.
Mars Is Cold Despite Its Red Appearance
Mars may look hot due to its red color, but as per NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, it is significantly colder than Earth due to its distance from the Sun and its thin atmosphere. Being about 50 million miles farther away, Mars receives less light and heat. Additionally, its atmosphere, which is 100 times thinner than Earth's, fails to trap heat effectively, resulting in easy heat escape.
Moreover, the temperature fluctuations on Mars are extreme. During the day, it can feel like summer at the equator but winter near the head due to the planet's inability to retain heat. At night, temperatures can plummet to negative triple digits, reaching as low as minus 200 degrees Fahrenheit. These cold winter nights are even harsher, potentially dropping even lower.
The combination of being farther from the Sun, having a thin atmosphere, and consisting of 95% carbon dioxide contributes to Mars' cold and inhospitable conditions.
According to Arizona State University, the lowest recorded temperature on Earth is comparable to the extreme cold on Mars, while the highest temperature on Mars, around 70 degrees Fahrenheit, is significantly lower than the highest recorded on Earth.
Seasons and Climate Change on Mars
Similar to Earth, Space.com reported that Mars experiences four seasons due to its axial tilt. However, the seasons on Mars vary significantly in length due to the planet's eccentric orbit. Spring is the longest season in the northern hemisphere, lasting seven months, while summer and fall are both about six months long. Winter, on the other hand, lasts only four months.
During Martian summers, the polar ice cap, primarily composed of carbon dioxide ice, shrinks and may even disappear. Conversely, the ice cap grows back during winter. Scientists believe there could be liquid water trapped beneath the carbon dioxide ice sheets. In the past, Mars might have had a warmer and wetter climate, with an average global temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Furthermore, there is evidence that Mars has changed over time. Previous research suggests that early Mars was colder and icier, with an average temperature of minus 54 degrees Fahrenheit. The planet receives only 43% of the solar energy that Earth does, and the sun during that period was believed to be 25% dimmer.
Recent studies indicate that Mars is emerging from an ice age, leading to shrinking polar caps and growing glaciers at mid-latitudes, signifying climate change on the planet.
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