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Mars' cloudy sky as seen by Perseverance rover in 2023, sol 738.. The climate of Mars has been a topic of scientific curiosity for centuries, in part because it is the only terrestrial planet whose surface can be easily directly observed in detail from Earth with help from a telescope.
The average surface emission temperature of Mars is just 215 K (−58 °C; −73 °F), which is comparable to inland Antarctica. [ 2 ] [ 4 ] Although Mars' atmosphere consists primarily of carbon dioxide, the greenhouse effect in the Martian atmosphere is much weaker than Earth's: 5 °C (9.0 °F) on Mars, versus 33 °C (59 °F) on Earth due to ...
During a year, there are large surface temperature swings on the surface between −78.5 °C (−109.3 °F) to 5.7 °C (42.3 °F) [c] similar to Earth's seasons, as both planets have significant axial tilt, Earth at 23.5 degrees and Mars at 25 degrees. Mars was formed approximately 4.5 billion years ago.
[9] [26] There can be large temperature swings on Mars, for example at the equator it may reach 70 degrees F (20 degrees C) in the daytime but then go down to minus 100 degrees F (−73 C) at night. [27] Examples of Mars surface temperatures: [27] Average −80 degrees Fahrenheit (−60 degrees Celsius).
The thin atmosphere also increases the variability of the planet's temperature. Martian surface temperatures vary from lows of approximately −140 °C (−220 °F) during the polar winters to highs of up to 20 °C (70 °F) in summers. The tenuous atmosphere of Mars visible on the horizon. Pits in south polar ice cap, MGS 1999, NASA
The surface appearance of some regions of Mars is due to how this unit has degraded. It is a major cause of the surface appearance of lobate debris aprons. [56] The layering of the upper plains mantling unit and other mantling units are believed to be caused by major changes in the planet's climate.
It has a methane, nitrogen and carbon monoxide atmosphere and a surface temperature of minus 378 to minus 396 degrees, too cold to sustain life. NASA sent its probe New Horizons on a flyby in 2015.
Therefore, extremes of temperature are considerably wider in the southern hemisphere than in the north. Mars sky at noon, as imaged by Mars Pathfinder (June, 1999). Mars sky at sunset, as imaged by Mars Pathfinder (June, 1999). Mars sky at sunset, as imaged by the Spirit rover (May, 2005).