Mar
s: A Red Hotbed of Cold English Facts Mars, the fourth planet from the Sun, has captured our imagination for centuries. Named after the Roman god of war, Mars is often referred to as the 'Red Planet' due to its reddish appearance, caused by iron oxide or rust on its surface. But beyond its stunning appearance, Mars is also a treasure trove of intriguing English words and phrases. Here are some cold English facts about the Red Planet that you probably didn't know. 1) Ares Vallis Ares Vallis is a giant impact crater on Mars named after the Greek god of war, Ares, who is the equivalent of the Roman god Mars. The crater is 2,000 kilometers wide and 2.5 kilometers deep and is believed to have been formed when a comet or an asteroid collided with the planet about 3.5 billion years ago. Ares Vallis is also the landing site of the Mars Pathfinder mission in 1997. 2) Tharsis Bulge Tharsis Bulge is a massive volcanic plateau on Mars that covers an area roughly equivalent to the size of Europe. The bulge is named after the ancient city of Tharsis in Spain and is believed to have been formed by volcanic activity during the planet's early history. The bulge is home to some of the largest and most impressive volcanic mountains in the solar system, including Olympus Mons, the tallest mountain in the solar system. 3) Valles Marineris Valles Marineris is the largest canyon in the solar system, stretching over 4,000 kilometers long and up to 7 kilometers deep in some places. The canyon is named after the Mariner 9 spacecraft, which discovered it in 1971. The name 'Valles Marineris' translates to 'Mariner Valleys' in English. 4) Olympus Mons Olympus Mons is the tallest mountain in the solar system, standing at an astonishing height of 22 kilometers or roughly three times the height of Mount Everest. The mountain is a shield volcano, similar to the ones found in Hawaii, but much larger in scale. It is named after the home of the gods in Greek mythology. 5) Dust Devils Dust devils are whirlwinds of dust and sand that are frequently observed on Mars. They are formed when the surface of the planet is heated unevenly by the sun, creating pockets of warm air that rise rapidly, carrying dust and sand with them. These mini-tornadoes can reach heights of up to 10 kilometers and are often visible from space. 6) Tharsis Montes Tharsis Montes is a group of three massive shield volcanoes on Mars, located near the Tharsis Bulge. The volcanoes are named after the Greek gods of fire: Arsia Mons, Pavonis Mons, and Ascraeus Mons. The three volcanoes are among the largest in the solar system and were formed by volcanic activity during Mars' early history. 7) Martian The term 'Martian' is used to refer to anything related to Mars, including its landscapes, atmosphere, and potential inhabitants. The word 'Martian' dates back to the late 19th century when the speculative fiction genre became popular, and authors started exploring the idea of extraterrestrial life. Interestingly, the word 'Martian' was first used in English in 1877, the same year that Mars was observed through the telescope for the first time. In conclusion, Mars is not just an awe-inspiring planet to look at; it is also a fascinating source of English words and phrases. From its canyons and volcanoes to its dust devils and potential inhabitants, Mars is a hotbed of cold English facts that continue to capture our imagination and curiosity.
