Mars

Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun in our solar system. It is named after Mars, the god of war in Roman mythology (the counterpart to Ares in Greek mythology), because of its red color as viewed in the night sky. This feature also earned it the name "The Red Planet." Mars has two moons (Phobos and Deimos) which are both small and oddly-shaped, possibly being captured asteroids. The prefix areo- refers to Mars in the same way geo- refers to Earth—e.g. areology versus geology.

Mythology

Mars has certainly been seen by skygazers since prehistoric times. It was known by the Egyptians as "Her Deschel" or "the Red One." Among the Babylonians Mars was known as "Nirgal" or "the Star of Death". The Romans were the ones to give Mars its modern name, after the God of War.

Related Topics:
Egyptians - Babylonians - Nirgal - Romans

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