Which planet is known as the Red Planet? A) Venus B) Mars C) Jupiter D) Saturn
VerifiedAnswer: B) Mars
Explanation:
Mars is famously known as the Red Planet due to its distinctive reddish appearance when viewed from Earth. This rusty red color comes from iron oxide, commonly known as rust, which covers much of the planet's surface. When iron-rich rocks and soil on Mars are exposed to oxygen and water over millions of years, they undergo oxidation, creating the characteristic red hue that makes Mars easily recognizable in our night sky.
Let's look at why the other options are incorrect. Venus, often called the "Morning Star" or "Evening Star," appears bright and yellowish-white due to its thick, reflective cloud cover made of sulfuric acid. Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, displays bands of different colors including brown, red, and white stripes caused by different chemical compounds in its atmosphere. Saturn is known for its beautiful ring system and appears pale yellow due to ammonia crystals in its upper atmosphere.
Mars has fascinated humans for centuries, and ancient civilizations named it after their gods of war because of its blood-red appearance. The Romans called it Mars after their god of war, while the ancient Greeks named it Ares for the same reason. This fourth planet from the Sun continues to capture our imagination today as we send rovers and missions to explore its surface, searching for signs of past or present life and preparing for future human exploration.
