Every year on November 28, we commemorate Red Planet Day, which honours the exploration and study of Mars, our neighbour and planet known as the “Red Planet” because of the reddish hue of iron oxide on its surface. This day is significant because it marks a turning point in the history of space exploration: the November 28, 1964, launch of NASA’s Mariner 4 spacecraft, the first successful mission to fly past Mars and return close-up photos of the planet.
WHY IS RED PLANET DAY IMPORTANT?
Red Planet Day is significant because it draws attention to humanity’s ongoing efforts to investigate Mars and learn more about its potential for life and colonization in the future. It honours critical scientific discoveries and stimulates more investigation into the planet’s climate, geology, and habitability. The day also provides a potent reminder of how space exploration encourages creativity and enthusiasm in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) professions, inspiring the next generation to pursue these vital fields.
HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE
The Mariner 4 mission, an innovative NASA endeavour, forms the foundation of the day:
- Launch: On November 28, 1964, Mariner 4 was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
- Flyby: On July 14, 1965, the spacecraft successfully passed Mars and took the first close-up photos of another planet.
- Impact: By showing a desolate planet with impact craters and no traces of life, these 21 blurry images revolutionized our knowledge of Mars. This refuted previous claims about intelligent life on Mars and canals.
The success of Mariner 4 made possible the Viking landers, Perseverance, and other rovers, as well as future human exploration goals.
REMARKABLE FACTS ABOUT MARS
- Size and Orbit: One orbit of the Sun takes 687 Earth days, and Mars is roughly half as big as Earth.
- Atmosphere: Its thin atmosphere is unsuited for human breathing because it primarily comprises carbon dioxide.
- Moons: Phobos and Deimos, the two small moons of Mars, are believed to be captured asteroids.
- Search for Life: Mars is a great place to look for signs of microbial life, past or present, because of its history of liquid water.
THE IMPORTANCE OF MODERNITY
Red Planet Day is an opportunity to consider the ongoing investigation of Mars. Among the ongoing missions is NASA’s Perseverance Rover, gathering samples for a potential return to Earth and looking for evidence of ancient life. China’s Tianwen-1 mission and other international initiatives demonstrate the global interest in Mars. Private businesses like SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk, are also making significant progress toward colonizing the Red Planet.
