The Fate of Mars Is Tied to the Sun
In The Fate of Mars Is Tied to the Sun, Professor Brian Cox explains how Mars went from being full of water to a barren desert. Learn why the Sun is so important for the planets that orbit it, including Mars and Earth. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Planets, a series that explores the dramatic lives of the eight planets in our Solar System.
Lesson Express
Q: What happened to the water that was on Mars?
A: It evaporated into space because its atmosphere couldn’t retain the water.
Q: How does Mars’s core impact the planet?
A: Mars has a small core so it cannot retain heat.
Q: What does the phrase “the Sun dictates our fate” mean for Mars? What does it mean for Earth?
A: The Sun heated and evaporated the water on Mars, dramatically changing the planet. Student responses will vary.
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