FAMOUS
LANDMARKS
Mars has some of the most extreme terrain in the solar system. Biggest volcano, deepest canyon, and craters that could swallow countries whole.
Olympus Mons
The biggest volcano in the solar system. It is so wide that if you stood at the base, you could not see the summit because Mars curves away first. About 3 times taller than Mount Everest. The caldera at the top is 80 km across.
Valles Marineris
A system of canyons that stretches across almost a quarter of Mars. By comparison, the Grand Canyon could fit inside one of its smaller side canyons. Scientists still debate whether it formed from tectonic activity or ancient volcanic collapse.
Hellas Planitia
One of the largest impact craters in the entire solar system. Hit by a massive asteroid billions of years ago. The bottom of Hellas has the highest atmospheric pressure on Mars, making it slightly less hostile than the rest of the planet.
Tharsis Plateau
A massive raised plateau covered in ancient volcanoes. Home to Olympus Mons and three other enormous volcanoes: Ascraeus Mons, Pavonis Mons, and Arsia Mons. The sheer weight of this region actually tilts Mars slightly.
Polar Ice Caps
Mars has both north and south polar caps. They are made mostly of water ice with a seasonal layer of frozen carbon dioxide on top. In winter, they grow. In summer, the CO2 layer evaporates but the water ice stays. Our Grand Tour includes a polar cap visit.
Curiosity Landing Site
Where NASA landed the Curiosity rover in 2012. Gale Crater contains Mount Sharp in the center, a 5 km tall mound built up from ancient sediment layers. The rover found evidence that this area had liquid water for millions of years.
OBSERVABLE FEATURES
Dust Devils
Small rotating columns of dust up to 8 km tall. Visible daily from most locations. Harmless but interesting to watch from inside your habitat.
Martian Sunsets
The sky turns blue around the sun at sunset due to how dust scatters light. Opposite of Earth. One of the most talked-about sights by returning travelers.
Phobos and Deimos
Mars has two small moons. Phobos moves so fast it rises in the west and sets in the east. Deimos takes 30 hours to cross the sky.
The Blue Dunes
Dark basalt sand forms blue-black dunes near the polar caps. They look striking against the red terrain.