Red — Planet

: Thanks to its smaller size, gravity on Mars is only about 38% of Earth's . This means you could jump three times higher than you can right now!

: If you stood on the Martian surface at dusk, you’d witness a blue sunset . Because of the way fine dust in the atmosphere scatters light, the colors are the reverse of Earth: pinkish-red skies during the day and a blue glow around the sun as it sets. Red Planet

Mars, our "Red Planet" neighbor, is far more than just a rusty rock in the sky. While its iconic crimson glow comes from iron oxide—literally rust —covering its surface, the world beneath the dust is a land of extremes. : Thanks to its smaller size, gravity on

: The Valles Marineris canyon system stretches for 2,500 miles—nearly the width of Australia . In some places, it plunges 6 miles deep , dwarfing Earth’s Grand Canyon. Because of the way fine dust in the

Here are some of the most mind-blowing facts about our potential future home:

Whether it's the search for ancient microbial life or the dream of building the first Martian city , Mars continues to be our greatest cosmic frontier.