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Because it is so close to planet Earth and because it is also the one that shares the most common traits with it, Mars has always been the planet most admired and investigated by humans.

The most researched and interesting planet after earth

Mars is fourth in order of distance toward the sun, then Mercury, Venus, and the Earth itself. Its name was applied from the Roman god of war who bore the same name, and this has to do with the fact that Mars is a reddish, dry and rocky planet. Mars has two moons or natural satellites: Phobos and Deimos.

Characteristics

Mars is a planet similar to Earth in terms of measurements, possessing a diameter of 6794 kilometers, with a flattening in the poles of 0.01 (a little higher than that of the Earth). These numbers give a planet similar in size but flatter at the poles, which can be seen in the images we have of this celestial body. Taking as a parameter the force gravitational terrestrial, we could say that any element would weigh only a third of what weighs on Earth, being then lighter and less attracted by the (lower) gravity of this planet.

One of the elements that always drew the attention of human beings on Mars was its geology. Due to the shapes and striated paths that were on its surface, it was considered that this planet It could have the presence of basins or water courses, or that perhaps these had existed at some point to become extinct soon. In any case, nowadays there is no certainty on the subject and the investigations in this regard continue. It is believed that of all the planets of the Solar system, excluding Earth, Mars is the one that shows the greatest possibilities of harboring water.

Besides, of that the geography Mars is the best known and most researched in the entire Solar System. It is a rocky or telluric planet, as is the Earth. Different shapes such as volcanoes, canyons, valleys, and mountains are found along the Martian surface. The atmospheric pressure is very low, with very high and strong winds, while its temperature average is minus 46 degrees Celsius.

The fascination for Mars sparked theories and interest in science fiction

As a consequence of this special interest aroused by Mars and the idea that there was once life there is that fiction genres usually They have syndicated it as the planet that houses extraterrestrial life, Martian life as it is also called, and from which these beings come peculiar.

In the literature, in the movie theater and on TV there are many stories of these creatures from other planets that are interested in knowing what life is like on earth and then they decide to visit us aboard their spaceships.

Of course it is a subject that arouses controversy and disbelief in many people, especially in those who do not believe at all in the existence of aliens.

One of the most popular and celebrated fictional stories that precisely address the issue of contact with aliens is the work of H. G. Wells, The War of the Worlds, and that it was adapted for the radio by the great American actor and film director Orson Wells.

When Wells represented the story on the radio with a huge reality, the listeners certainly believed that were being invaded by Martians and generated a wave of panic that had to be controlled by the authorities.

Roman god representing war

And on the other hand, Mars is one of the most relevant gods at the behest of Roman mythology and from whom precisely the planet has taken its name.

Mars represented war and by case is that the iconography depicts him as a warrior, that is, dressed in the costume and attributes that any warrior carries.

All the legends and myths linked to Mars are associated with war.

As we know, during the golden age of Rome, the war, knew to be a recurring event and the way with which the empire managed to become owner and lord of large areas of territories.

The Roman military, for example, before each battle, entrusted themselves to Mars and offered sacrifices to be victorious in their confrontations.

The so-called Campo de Marte, an area located in Rome, was known to be one of the emblematic places where this god was worshiped.

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