Mars, named after the Roman god of war, is the fourth planet from the Sun and the last of the inner terrestrial planets. Out of all the planets of the Solar System Mars is the most 'Earth-like' having a thin atmosphere, polar icecaps, an axial tilt similar to Earth's and a similar length of day. That said it is still a pretty inhospitable place so only space probes have landed there so far.

Through a low power telescope Mars may appear as a rusty orange/red coloured disc with patches of grey.

 

 

 

 

 

Mars has two natural satellites, Phobos and Deimos translated as 'fear' and 'panic'!