Mars is a terrestrial planet in our Solar System that is steeped in mythology, astrology, and great curiosity. Scientists today have conducted multiple missions and vast amounts of research to find out more about our neighboring planet. Most people on Earth have heard small bits of information here and there, but the world as a whole can benefit from learning more about not just Mars, but our entire Solar System. There are many reasons for this; one of which has been portrayed many times in science fiction books and movies over the years. If Earth becomes uninhabitable, whether it be our fault or the universe's, are there any other options available? Another reason for learning about the other planets and our universe is to better understand the Earth and its events and processes. For example, when one looks at the thousands of stars and the occasional planet on a crisp, clear night, the tiny specks of light we see travel billions of miles to reach the Earth. This distance is measured by lightyears; one lightyear is equal to 9. 5 trillion kilometers (5. 9 trillion miles). When NASA uses its technology to view stars in greater detail, they are potentially viewing events that would have happened millions of years ago. As such, it can provide us with better insight into the future of our planet as well as our own star, the sun.
As stated earlier, there are multiple organizations taking part in the exploration and research being completed on Mars. Among those is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Indian Space Research Organization (IRSO). Each of these organizations has multiple orbiting and surface missions on Mars at this very moment, recording surface data and topography, as well as Mars's climate and atmosphere. Earth's rovers, landers, and orbiters have made quite a few discoveries within the past few years, creating new scientific theories and disproving old ones. For example, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) recently found an unusually textured area of the surface of Mars (called the Sisyphi Montes) that is well known for its flat-topped mountains. This discovery is leading scientists to believe that there was once a glacial sheet of ice in that region due to the collective deposits found in the area. These deposits include zeolites, sulfates, and iron oxides, which are normally only found in one area after a subglacial eruption. Another more controversial example is the discovery of the presence of water in 2015. Recurring Slope Lineae, or streaks found in some of Mars's slopes, were found along with hydrates salt deposits. Researchers also found various deposits of hematite and clay that insinuate the presence of water on an otherwise cold, dry planet.
As of 2017, there are currently five orbiters deployed for the sole purpose of monitoring Mars's climate: the MAVEN (NASA), the Mars Express (ESA), the Mars Odyssey (NASA), the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (NASA),...
