Mars, Jupiter and Saturn

Abstract

Of all the planets that go around the Sun, Mars has perhaps the greatest potential to captivate the human imagination. At its closest approach, it shines more brightly than any other object with the exception of Venus, its ruddy color long associated with bloodlust and war. Once a promising world for life, its small mass and low surface area (roughly the same size as the area of all the landmasses on Earth) sealed its fate early. It lost much of its water and atmosphere. Mars today is a cold, lifeless (and probably dead) desert.