The National Mall in Southwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Mars
This tiny sphere is the planet Mars at one 10-billionth actual size. Its small moons can't be seen at this scale.
If Mars were this big, how far away would the Sun and other planets be? Look at the map on the lower panel to find your position in the solar system.
Bottom section of the Marker:
Voyage to Mars
It seems almost Earth-like here, like a desolate spot in a desert. But the air is far thinner than atop Earth's highest mountains and mostly carbon dioxide. In the summer, near the Martian equator, the temperature typically reaches 60°F (17°C). But at night it falls to a chilling -130°F (-90°C).
Earth Invades Mars!
Near the northern wall of Gale Crater, NASA's Curiosity rover readies to drill into rock for the first time on another planet (see image at left). In the distance is 3.4 mile (5.5 km) high Mount Sharp, Curiosity's destination at the crater's center. Many more robotic spacecraft will journey to Mars. One day, will humans follow?
Life on Mars?
Long ago Mars was warm and wet, but its channels, tributaries, and flood plains are now dry. On Earth, water is a key ingredient for life, so perhaps life once existed on Mars as well. Deep in the Martian soil, shielded from the Sun's harmful rays, life may still exist.
Walk
this page online
Imagine
Exploring the surface of Mars is comparable to exploring all the continents of Earth.
Walk to Earth about 12 steps
Erected 2013 by Smithsonian Institution.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space.
Location. 38° 53.323′ N, 77° 1.129′ W. Marker is in Southwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in The National Mall. Marker is on Jefferson Drive Southwest west of 4th Street Southwest, on the right when traveling east. On the grounds of the National Air and Space Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 600 Independence Southwest, Washington DC 20565, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Earth (a few steps from this marker); Asteroids and Comets (a few steps from this marker); Mercury (a few steps from this marker); T.S.C. Lowe's Observation Flight (within shouting distance of this marker); Star Nurseries (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Cook Telescope (about 300 feet away); Sun (about 300 feet away); Saturn (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Southwest Washington.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 24, 2017, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 193 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 24, 2017, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
