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Outer Space for Kids: Mars

Learn about the solar system, Kepler's laws, space exploration, stargazing, and more!

Planet Intro

Planet Name: Mars

Named For: Mars is named for the Roman god of war because its reddish color looks like blood.

Size: 2,106 miles in diameter, about 1/2 the size of Earth

Moons: Phobos and Deimos are the two moons of Mars, and they are named after the horses that pulled the chariot of Ares, the Greek god of war.

Rings: None

Temperature: Average temperature is -85 degrees Fahrenheit

Distance from the Sun: 142 million miles

Distance from Earth: 140 million miles

Number of Earth Days It Takes to Orbit the Sun: 687 Earth days

Source: NASA

Kanopy

Scholastic Teachables

Mars in 4K: The Ultimate Edition from ElderFox Documentaries

Sample of Items from the SLCL Collection