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Mars is one of the planets in our proximity that has continued to fascinate humankind from the early days. Bearing the name of various gods of war – from Har Decker and Nergal to Ares and Mars – the Red Planet is the host of the most violent dust storms, the tallest volcano and the largest canyon in the solar system. Still, these are not the only mysteries this huge cold desert holds as you are about to find out.

1. There is water on Mars!

The main reason why space exploration is such an exciting topic resides in the fact that humankind actually hopes to find proof of extraterrestrial life. In order to validate this theory, missions on Mars have struggled to find one of the basic elements that are responsible for life as we know it: water. So far, only Martian mission Phoenix has confirmed that the existence of water in the North Pole of Mars, although it is not in the liquid form we’re accustomed to.

On a side note, Curiosity also brought solid evidence that rivers and oceans once existed on Mars. NASA had a press release in January this year where they announced the rover found several traces in the minerals that, according to our current knowledge, could not have developed without the presence of water.

2. The planet’s atmospheric pressure will make your blood bubble

The atmospheric pressure on Mars is 100 times less than the one on Earth and one of the main consequences of this fact is that all liquid substances will start to bubble almost instantly. Therefore, considering that the adult human body is on average 57% – 60% water, stepping on Mars without wearing appropriate protection equipment means your blood will start bubbling and you will die instantly.

3. The Red Planet “hosts” the largest dust storms in the entire solar system

In all fairness, even the deadliest storms in history like the Bhola Cyclone (1970), Typhoon Nina (1975) or Hurricane Kenna (2002) are no match for the Martian dust storms. As a matter of fact, a single dust storm on Mars has the tremendous power to cover the entire planet for months!

4. Valles Marineris is the largest canyon in the solar system

If you think that the Grand Canyon is an impressive sight, just wait until you hear about the largest canyon in the solar system. Valles Marineris measures over 4,000 kilometers long, meaning that it is practically ten times longer than the Grand Canyon. In addition, the Martian canyon is approximately 7.2 kilometers deep, four times deeper than our own.

5. Mount Olympus is the biggest volcano of the solar system

Majestically standing 25 kilometers high above the plains of Mars, Mount Olympus is known as the tallest volcano in the entire solar system. In addition to its impressive height, the volcano also has a fairly large base, enough to cover the entire state of Arizona. While you could say this is ironic given the fact that Mars is actually half the size of Earth, there is an explanation to the phenomenon. To put it simply, unlike Earth the hot spots on Martian soil are stationary, whereas the tectonic plates tend to move above the crust.

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In physics, light refers to electromagnetic radiation. The light we normally talk about in everyday life refers to the visible spectrum (the part of the electromagnetic spectrum that the human eye can see).

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Other animals can see parts of the spectrum that humans can’t. For example, a large number of insects can see ultraviolet (UV) light.

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UV light can be used to show things the human eye can’t see, coming in handy for forensic scientists.

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The wavelength of infrared light is too long to be visible to the human eye.

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Scientists study the properties and behaviors of light in a branch of physics known as optics.

The Boston Tea Party represents one of the monumental turning points in the history of the United States mainly because it constitutes the first act of sheer defiance of the people towards the government. Allegedly an act that stemmed from the refusal of the common people to accept the ruling of the British empire, there is far more to the mob that dumped over 342 containers of tea in the waters of the Boston Harbor on the night of December 16, 1773. The midnight raiding of the three ships has gone down in history, but many of us are not familiar with all the implications of the brash gesture or the real reasons behind it.

1. There was no tea tax hike, as it is assumed

Many people erroneously believe that the colonists were upset because the government wanted to impose a higher excise on the tea. That is not true, because in fact the “Tea Act” passed by the British authorities would still have allowed them to acquisition it for less than half of what it cost in Britain. The Tea Act was actually reducing the taxes paid by the East India Company, in an attempt to save the giant corporation for bankruptcy. However, the colonists were still not very fond of the earlier Townshend Acts that were passed without their consent. The new law that was approved without the support of the people or the parliament enraged them to the point of revolt.

2. Commercial interests rather than moral principles played a key role

The bailout received by dying the East India Company had another important effect, namely that it also handed them the keys to the monopoly on tea trade in the colonies. In other words, being exempt from taxes meant a huge advantage for EIC and consequentially, a huge blow for the business of colonial merchants and Dutch tea smugglers. And yes, many of the people involved in the midnight raid – including John Hancock – had a direct commercial interest. So much for pure morals!

3. George Washington did not support the actions of the Boston Tea Party

In spite of the fact that George Washington is perceived as the most important revolutionary in the American history, he did not concur with the actions of the Boston Tea Party. However, he did agree that the raid mirrored the public opinion on the British government and that the tea partiers only did what everyone was thinking about. On the other hand, the sanctity of private property was prevalent in those days and that is why Washington stated that the East India Company is entitled to financial compensation from the perpetrators. And, believe it or not, he had a strong support from political elites and the common people on this one.

4. The punitive measures of the British Empire brought the colonists closer together

True, a great percentage of the colonists shared the views of George Washington, as the perception towards the Boston Tea Party at the time was that it was an act of pure, unmitigated vandalism. Unfortunately, not even they believed that the punitive measures of the British government in response to the raid were justified. In essence, in the wake of the incursion, the Brits “went medieval” on the colonists, closing down the harbor, annulling Massachusetts’ right to self govern and expanding the dreaded Quartering act. These actions proved a really bad move from the British Empire, as the colonists catalogued them as intolerable and their comeback was the birth of the original Continental Congress.

5. The real identities of the Boston Tea Party were kept hidden for several decades

As previously mentioned, due to the potential repercussions and the lack of public support, the Boston Tea Party members were not so eager to divulge their implication in the raiding of the EIC ships. Knowing that they could face criminal charges as well as lose the support of the elites, they kept the lid on their identities for many years. In fact, even nowadays we still do not know all the names of the participants to the incursion.

Because they essentially look like little men wearing fancy tuxedos, penguins have always managed to melt our hearts. However, there’s more to these birds than meets the eye, as you are about to find out by the end of this list.

1. At this point, there are 18 species on penguins living on Earth

Although most people only think about the notorious Emperor penguin whenever these birds are brought into discussion, it is necessary to point out that the aforementioned specie is simply the largest. Even though scientists warn about the declining populations, some even to the point where they risk extinction, there are 18 known species of penguins, some more interesting than the rest. It is important to note that while you can usually see them at your local zoo, penguins live mostly in the Southern hemisphere.

2. There are notable differences between various species of penguins

It is necessary to mention that while an adult Emperor penguin is typically 114 cm high and weighs around 40 kg, the smallest species of penguins – the blue penguin – is only 25 cm tall and weighs approximately 1 pound. According to biologists, the relatively big differences stem from the birds’ different habitats. Because ice, particularly the so-called fast ice that does not move in winds and currents is essential for their habits, the Emperor can typically be found in very cold climates. The blue penguin can be mostly found in areas near Australia and New Zeeland, although some have been also spotted in Chile.

3. Some penguins prefer the tropical climate

Even though most documentaries on these majestic birds focus on the Emperor colonies that live closely to Antarctica, it is necessary to mention that some species thrive in tropical climates as well. To be more precise, the Galapagos penguin can often be seen along the shoreline of the islands with the same name. In addition to being located in the northernmost part of the Southern Hemisphere, some biologist claim that they even step into the Northern Hemisphere to feed. However, because they are not a migrating species, you should know that this happens very rarely.

4. Penguins are the best bird divers

If you are a bird watcher and prefer spending your vacations in different parts of the world in locations that promote avi-tourism, then chances are that you saw at least one bird quickly diving into the water only to spring out a few seconds later with a small fish or a frog in its beak. An interesting thing about penguins is that even though they lost their ability to fly a very long time ago, they are currently the deepest diving species of birds in the world.

5. Penguins are the kings of porpoising

Despite the fact that they lost their ability to fly a few million years ago, their cute flippers as well as their body shape have evolved to make them very proficient swimmers. This type of swimming might not be very efficient energy-wise compared to keeping the body completely submerged underwater, but it does have the benefit of allowing the penguins to trick their predators as well as permit them to breathe regularly. In addition, biologists claim that sometimes, these adorable birds simply do it out of joy or excitement.

October 20, 2012 marked the 1 year anniversary of Muammar Qaddafi’s violent death. Since his death, Libya has become a better country.  The election in July 2012 was an extraordinary moment: the first time, after 42 years of dictatorship, that Libyans were given the opportunity to vote.

But, while this Qaddafi was ruling Libya with an iron fist, eliminating all political opposition and restricting the lives of Libyans, he was also doing more for the country than many African leader. Make no mistake, the general consensus in Africa, too, was that it was time for the dude to go — even while he was dreaming of a united  Africa he was quite divisive in his relations with Africa as a whole, and from time to time expelling black Africa from Libya and encouraged xenophobia against them.

The previously stated comments do not underestimate the myriad of challenges that Libya now faces, shown up most starkly by the murder of the US ambassador in Benghazi. The transitional government is  still very weak, armed militias are still roaming around in anarchy, and radical Islamist groups in the east of the country are a great threat to peace efforts. But Libya is nowhere near Syria and its state of chaos. (The population is Sunni Muslim; the sectarian element is missing. Plus there is oil.)

Most Libyans remain optimistic about the future. They want their country to be a successful unitary state and perhaps over time it will be.

After extensive research, we found 10 questionable facts about Libya under Qaddafi rule.  It’s now time for Top 10 viewers to re-examine these facts and see whether there is some truth to them….and then ask yourself: will the new government keep these rights Libyans fought for?

1. Electricity

There are no electricity bills to be paid in Libya; electricity is free for Libyans.

Also, new research suggests that the North African country could produce about five times more power from solar energy than it does from oil.

Research conducted by Nottingham Trent University’s School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment found that the oil-rich nation, with the help of the right investment, could harvest enough renewable energy from solar power to make its own electricity demands and export power to the neighboring countries.

2. Alcohol

The consumption of alcohol is prohibited in the country. Like most Arab states, the country faces a major problem with home-made alcohol and its consumption.

51 people died on March 9, 2013 after drinking homemade alcohol, most of them from the Libyan capital Tripoli. More than 300 others suffered from alcohol poisoning, according to a statement made by the health ministry.

Libya has seen a big increase in drug and alcohol trafficking over the years, especially after the 2011 war that saw the ousting of totalitarian Dictator Muammar Qaddafi.

More info about alcohol & tobacco: Alcohol & Tobacco costs are high compared to other places for items such as beer, spirits, wine and cigarettes. There are 212 places that are more expensive, and 567 places that are less expensive for alcohol and or tobacco.

 Benchmark price for a pack of 20 cigarettes in a store is USD$1.92.

3. Buying a car

If a Libyan citizen wants to buy a car, the government would pay for 50 percent of the price.

4. Education

Education and medical treatments are provided to all citizens for free. Before Qaddafi came to power only 25 percent of Libyans were literate. Today, the figure is approximately 83 percent.  However, only 25 percent of Libyans have a university degree.  However, accessibility is still a major issue.

5. Child Subsidies

A mother who gives birth to a child receives U.S. $5,000. This right applied mostly to elite family who had a reputable status in Libya.  Most proletariat families never saw such subsidy EVER.

Irrespective of the specie – excluding cockroaches of course – people always consider that baby animals are the most adorable thing on God’s green earth. Cubs have a certain appeal that, more often than not, seems to fade when the animal reaches maturity. To put it simply, while an animal has a debatable degree of “cuteness” that is mostly a matter of the personal opinion, during the early infancy stages you simply cannot look at it without exclaiming “Awwww!”

It is unknown whether or not the cuteness represents an evolved defensive mechanism for the animal that is otherwise helpless without the mother at this point and if the nurturing instincts of the parents are also influenced by it. Strangely enough, as theorized by Nobel Prize winner Konrad Lorenz, the cuteness is not an adaptation proprietary to primates and humans, but rather the babies of these species present distinct features that enable parents to recognize them. All the adaptations are made to suit the requirements of the environment, which means that the cuteness factor is obsolete. Let’s find out more about the things that make us love baby animals.

1. Puppies are the probably most helpless ones in the bunch

A puppy that is separated from its mother after birth has very few trump cards – aside of course from the adorable look that could get him adopted – and consequentially, limited chances of survival. To put it simply, the newborn puppy is deaf, blind and has no teeth, which means that it is virtually at the mercy of the world. Even the sense of smell, the trademark of the canine regnum, develops much later on, more exactly in about three weeks after being born. Therefore, you can’t really blame them for spending the first week sleeping 90% of the time, there aren’t many other things they can do for fun.

2. Kittens are born with different bone structures, based on the breed

In spite of the fact that the vast majority of kittens (over 90%) are born with the same blood type – A – their bone structure and the number of bones can differ radically from one breed to another. That is why certain breeds of cats grow significantly longer than others and the exponents are faster, more agile and have the ability to switch running direction easier.

3. Puppies and kitten share the same sweat gland position

The feline and the canine regnum may have differences since the end of time and a situation where the two types of animals actually get along are rare, but there is one thing they have in common: the position of the sweat glands. In other words, unlike most animals, both kittens and puppies are born with the sweat in the pads of the paws. However, only puppies pant in order to vent excess heat and when a kitten exhibits a panting behavior it typically indicates it is exposed to some form of stress.

4. Parrots give their offspring names

Unlike the negative propaganda enforced by pirate movies tells us, not all parrots are named Polly. Researchers have determined that soon after the parrot chick hatches from the eggs, its parents will give him a name which will also constitute the signature call of the bird. As the little parrot matures, he will adapt the original signature call to his “taste”, shortening/lengthening it with whistling or chirping. In other words, the parrot transforms his initial name into a nickname.

5. Baby chimpanzees love to play with dolls

Yeah, not only that but baby chimps are actually utilizing stones, sticks and dirt to make up their own dolls, guided by nothing but their imagination. At the same time, research shows that in most cases the behavior persists through maturity. Before you are quick to discard this hypothesis and attribute it to a nurturing instinct, you should know that several studies shown baby chimpanzees used the dolls in very different games that held no resemblance to the natural cradling/nurturing behavior.

Peanut butter is an awesome source of unsaturated fats and vegetarian protein; over 80 percent of the fats found in peanut butter are unsaturated. Peanuts also contain important B vitamins, potassium and resveratrol, a powerful antioxidant known to have cancer fighting properties. However, when it comes to relishing peanut butter, some companies make them high in calories.

Browse your grocery store aisle and you’ll find all kinds of peanut butters to choose from, among them reduced-fat options. Check the amount of carbohydrates on the nutrition label, because less fat sometimes comes with not-so-healthy trade-offs, such as added salt and sugar. Less is certainly can be more, so be sure to compare brands and opt for those with the fewest ingredients and additives.

For the average peanut butter lover, I’ve included a list of top 10 peanut butter facts that stick. Hope you enjoy this article as much as you enjoy a taste sticky, ewey and scrumptious peanut butter.

1. It takes 850 peanuts to make an 18 oz. jar of peanut butter. It should also be noted that it costs $40 to make a 12 oz. jar of peanut butter. Scrumptious, if you ask me.

2. Americans are pretty hungry when it comes to peanut butter. It makes sense when you look at the statistics and find that 75% of all American families purchase peanut butter in the last year. The average American child eats 1,500 peanut butter sandwiches by the time he or she graduates high school. I personally don’t like peanut butter in my sandwiches, but I do love adding it in my protein shake. This could be because schools are banning peanut butter products due to severe allergies.

3. People on the east coast usually enjoy cream peanut butter and people on the west coast enjoy the crunch type. I still do not understand the difference between the two. It all tastes the same to me. Personally, I prefer Nutella spread over Peanut Butter anytime. My fiancé and her family buy jars full of them. But again that is my preferences.

There is a wider gap in genders over tastes. Women and children are more prone to eating creamy, while most men opt for the crunch type.

4. Despite popular beliefs, peanuts are not nuts. They are legumes, meaning they are similar to beans, peas and lentils. It was first domesticated and cultivated in the valleys of Paraguay.

This fact also makes another stunning discovery. If you are allergic to one food, you are allergic to closely related foods because of the allergenic proteins being present in the foods. Another example is a person who is allergic to shrimp are also often allergic to shellfish. You may need to take a test.

5. The world’s largest peanut butter sandwich measured in at 40 feet long. It contained 150 lbs. of peanut butter and 50 lbs. of jelly. It was created in the town of Peanut, Pennsylvania on November 6, 1993. The day after my birthday!

6. 4 of the 10 candy bars manufactured in the United States contain peanuts or peanut butter. That means you should really be careful during Halloween when your children receives candy.

7. Peanut butter is a good source of protein. Just 2 tablespoons worth provides more than 10% of the daily recommended value. Those same 2 Tablepoons also provide 200 calories. It is also a good source of vitamins B3 and E, magnesium, folate, and dietary fiber.

8. Peanut butter fingers are the foods that kids would love to eat. When many of these kids grow up, they would also love eating this type of food because they are very delicious or scrumptious as they say. It’s not too difficult to make this type of food.

9. Almost 90 million jars are sold a year worldwide. That’s approximately 3 jars every second. More Skippy have been sold than any other peanut butter brand in the world.

10. Dr. George Washington Carver is referred to as the peanut wizard and father of the peanut industry, but he was not the person who invented peanut butter! Two peanut farmers have been elected as presidents of the United States: Thomas Jefferson and Jimmy Carter. Very interesting! Peanut butter may be popular, but Jimmy Carter was never popular with the voters.

We notice the Moon lighting every night with a clear sky, but only a few of us wonder about the nature and the origin of this large mass orbiting our planet. Why did it choose our planet? What are the effects of its movement on Earth? What is it made of? How would it feel to be on the Moon? This quick list aims to answer these questions and more by presenting you with a few of the most surprising facts about Earth’s natural moon.

1. The origin of Earth’s natural satellite

Over the decades, there have been numerous theories regarding the origin of Earth’s natural satellite, some of them quite strange. However, the hypothesis that is currently accepted by the overwhelming majority of scientists who have studied the matter believe that the Moon is actually a fragment of our planet, Earth. This theory suggests that the satellite was formed approximately 4.5 billion years back in the wake of the collision between Earth and an object of similar dimensions to Mars. While the collision generated an inconsistent mass of debris floating on the orbit of our planet, it eventually congregated into a spherical form. The components of the Moon as well as the lower density of the satellite come to support the theory that it has originated from the upper layer of the Earth.

2. The dark side of the Moon

Originally, the Moon was rotating around its own axis just like the earth. However, over the course of billions and billions of years, the gravitational field emitted by the Earth caused it to decelerate up to a full stop. Therefore, only a single side of the natural satellite is viewable from our planet and it is always the same. Even though our gravitation field has an effect over the moon, it is exercised differently over several points and it does not trigger a turning movement. A similar situation happens with Pluto and Charon, the other two interlocked space bodies in our Solar System. To put it simply, while there is no actually dark side of the Moon from a broad perspective, we will never see it from our planet.

3. The Moon’s less known movement

Everyone knows that the Moon is orbiting around the Earth, but few are aware of the fact that it is also moving away from our planet by approximately 4 centimeters every year. Astrophysicists have found that this movement is determined by the conservation of momentum and will probably cease in approximately 50 billion years. At that point, it is estimated that the Moon’s stabilized orbit will require about 47 days to execute a full rotation around Earth. On a side note, the average duration of the current orbit requires 27.3 days to complete a full rotation.

4. The proportionality between the Moon and the Sun

Have you ever noticed that the dimensions of the Moon and those of the Sun appear strikingly similar from our perspective? However, science teaches us that the Moon is approximately 400 times smaller compared to the sun of our system, so how can this be? Well, even though the circumference of the sun is much larger, the distance between it and our plane is also 400 higher. This is the mother of all space coincidences and the primary reason why we perceive the dimensions of the two astral bodies as being the same.

5. The gravity of the natural satellite

Due to the density of the Moon and the lower dimensions, its gravity is also extremely reduced compared to Earth, namely approximately 17%. This means that even an overweight person would be able to execute spectacular jumps there and even fly around if he would equip a pair of wings. At the same time, lifting and transporting heavy items on the Moon would be incredibly easy.

Few people are familiar with details regarding the serious condition referred to epilepsy or seizure disorder other than the things depicted in Hollywood movies. Sadly, an actual epilepsy related seizure has very few aspects in common with what you see on TV, because the motion pictures only present a glamorous version aimed to sensitize the public to the drama of a certain character.

This disorder can be described best by swift electrical discharges which disrupt the brain’s normal activity, modifying the patient’s behavior and perception. In order to understand the experience of an epileptic during a seizure, all you have to do is tense all your muscles simultaneously as hard as you can, over the point when you experience discomfort. Imagine if you will – don’t put this step into practice please – that in addition to the muscle cramps, your limbs and your head are also being bludgeoned with a concussive object. The strain of the muscles as well as the pain sensation makes the patient unable to stand on his feet during the seizure, but they also determine bizarre conducts because his perception of reality is altered. Now that you have a basic idea of what epilepsy implies, let’s find out a few less known facets of this condition.

1. Epilepsy seizures have 3 stages

The three stages of the manifestation of epilepsy are tonic (start), clonic (mid-stage) and postictal (ending). During the initial stage of the seizure, the patient generally experiences perception alterations, such as bizarre odors, strange sounds, unusual tastes in his mouth and a “déjà vu” sensation. The tonic phase is also associated with a feeling of lightheadedness, announcing the mid stage. The clonic phase can manifest as a grande mal – worst-case scenario – or only a basic, limited seizure. Throughout the postical phase, which has predetermined duration (a few seconds to a couple of hours) the brain begins to recover from the electrical shocks, but the patient typically experience disorientation and has a limited recollection of the seizure.

2. In the old B.C. days, epileptics were viewed as prophets

Due to the superstitious nature of the B.C. times, people interpreted the epileptic seizures as a message from the deity and held the patients suffering from this disorder in the highest regard. It is easy to see why the lack of understanding of the human body could generate such misconceptions, particularly if you consider the typical form of manifestation. At the opposite pole, certain societies considered that the epileptic was possessed by demons. Luckily, thanks to the brilliant mind of Hippocrates who first recognized that the “Sacred Illness” was nothing more than a brain disorder, all the mystical explanations for the seizures were discarded.

3. Every person has a seizure threshold

Virtually every person in the world can experience a seizure if the stimuli exceed a certain level, but every person’s threshold is different. Fortunately, for most people the seizure threshold is set sufficiently high as to withstand the common levels of stimuli in the environment. However, certain “triggers” (sleep deprivation, alcoholic beverages, other illnesses, hormonal imbalances, flickering lights, etc) are capable of downgrading the seizure threshold, making the body more vulnerable to seizures.

4. The roots of the condition are not elucidate 70% of the time

In 70% of the cases, the cause of epilepsy remains unknown and the diagnostic typically placed by the doctor is “idiopathic epilepsy”. However, statistics indicate that 1 out 20 patients have an excessive sensibility to flickering lights (stroboscopes) or suffer from photosensitivity.

5. You cannot really swallow your own tongue during a seizure

The misconception that during an epilepsy seizure the patient is capable of swallowing his own tongue has been blown out of proportions and the ones to blame are essentially Hollywood movie producers. If you cannot do it while you are not in a seizure, than the chances that you will be able to when all your muscles are tense – keep in mind that the tongue is the strongest one – are virtually null.

Mars has fascinated humankind from immemorial times with its distinct red color, which conferred it the title of “God of War” in most ancient civilizations. However, the spellbound exerted on us by the Red Planet did not stop with the ancient Babylonians, Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. In fact, it continues till this day. As the fourth planet from the Sun continues to mesmerize, it practically calls out on us to come and discover its mysterious origins.

With all the hype created around NASA’s latest mission on Mars, more and more people are becoming interested with this planet. While we’re patiently waiting for curiosity to tell us more about the Red Planet, let’s review some of the interesting things that we already know about it.

1. Olympus Mons

While Mars is considered a rather small astral body, it is home to the largest volcano in the solar system, the mysterious Olympus Mons. Its gigantic height, estimated at a 3 times larger than Mount Everest, as well as its incredible diameter of 375 miles have determined astronomers to classify Olympus Mons as a shield volcano. As a side note, a shield volcano implies a type of mountain built exclusively out of fluid lava flows, which tend to accumulate into broad sheets and take on the shape of a shield.

2. The Martian Clouds

Given the thin atmosphere and the almost inexistence moisture, Mars was considered a cloud-free planet. In spite of the fact that only traces of water vapors can be found in the Martian atmosphere, scientists were amazed to find various cloud formations on the Red Planet. The explanation for this phenomenon comes from the distinct atmospheric pressure and temperature that lead the atmosphere to the point close of saturation and promote the formation of clouds. The latest research indicates that the clouds are mostly made of frozen carbon dioxide and they sometimes become so dense that they dim the sunlight by approximately 40%.

3. The red coloration of the planet

The trademark red coloration of Mars is granted by the high concentration of iron oxide in the soil. Essentially, the prominent gas found in the atmosphere is carbon dioxide and hence, allows observers from Earth to see the Martian surface directly. On a side note, the iron oxide has a talcum consistency and covers most of the surface giving the impression that the rocks are literarily rusting.

4. The mysterious face

In 1976, Viking 1 sent a very interesting photo on Earth depicting what appeared to be a human face. At that point, many believers in the existence of extraterrestrial life supported the idea that there could be life on Mars or that life existed on the Red Planet at some point in time. However, recent surveys on the structure indicate that “The Face” was nothing more than an illusion. While many accept the official NASA story these days (now that we have even more data to work with), there are still some critics who claim it was a cover up.

5. Mars’ seasons are to similar to Earth’s

Astronomical observations revealed that the rotational axis of Mars is tilted with respect to the plane of the planet’s orbit, an element that determines the occurrence of seasons, just like on Earth. A closer examination showed that all four seasons present on our planet can also be found on Mars. However, considering that the duration of the Martian year is double from the one on Earth, it is estimated that each seasonal cycle takes twice as long.