Mars is the fourth planet in the solar system and the second smallest planet in the solar system after Mercury, and is one of the four terrestrial planets in the solar system. The diameter is about half that of the Earth, and the axis of rotation and the rotation period are similar to those of the Earth, but the revolution period is twice that of the Earth. Because the soil is rich in iron and has a red color, it is known as the Red Planet. In ancient Europe, Mars was called "Mars", the god of war in Roman mythology. In China, it is named "Luminous Confusion" because of its meaning of "luminous light like fire, brightness and position changes that confuse people".
Mars has two natural satellites: Phobos and Deimos, which are irregularly shaped and may have been captured asteroids.
The history and evolution of Mars as a planet in the solar system from ancient times to modern times is a fascinating topic. At the time of its formation, Mars was also a warm and humid planet, and there may have been oceans of liquid water. However, over time, Mars loses the heat of the Sun, the environment gradually becomes harsh, and the atmosphere gradually thins. At the same time, the speed of Mars' rotation has also changed, so that one side is exposed to direct sunlight from the sun and the other side is always in shadow.
In the history and evolution of Mars, there are several important events that have also had a profound impact on it. For example, Mars may have suffered multiple impacts over the past few billion years, creating its unique craters, canyons and craters. One of the most famous craters is the "Olympus", which is one of the largest craters in the solar system.
Based on observational evidence, groundwater-like gushing was observed on Mars, with partial retreat of the Antarctic ice cap, and radar data showing the presence of large amounts of water ice beneath the surface at the poles and mid-latitudes. On July 25, 2018, the Italian Space Agency announced the discovery of a subglacial lake with a diameter of 20 kilometers beneath the Martian ice sheet. This is the first large body of liquid water detected by space scientists on Mars.
Mars is an important target for human exploration of the solar system, and there are currently multiple countries and institutions working in orbit or on the surface of Mars, including the United States, Europe, India, the United Arab Emirates, and China. China's Tianwen-1 successfully landed on Mars on May 15, 2021, becoming the third country to achieve a soft landing on Mars. Tianwen-1's Mars rover Zhurong has begun to patrol and explore the surface of Mars.
The evolution of Mars reveals a variety of complex geological activities and ecological phenomena that may occur in the history of the planet. Although the future of Mars is challenging, scientists are working tirelessly to better understand the evolution of the solar system and the possible life forms.