Mars

• so Mars is the planet most similar to Earth

  • Presently
    • atmosphere thin and dry
    • no H2O oceans
  • maybe
    • in the past it was nicer

• Facts

  • day 24 h 40 m -- very close to Earth’s
  • tilt of pole 24o -- also very close to Earth’s
    • Seasons like Earth
      • Polar caps (frozen CO2 and H2O)
        • retreat in summer, advance in winter
      • first noted by Wm. Herschel 1800
    • orbital eccentricity large (0.09)
      • Kepler couldn’t fit it with a circle
        • ellipse, sun at one focus (Kepler I)

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