Red Planet -

: 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.

: Mars is home to Olympus Mons , the tallest volcano in the solar system. At roughly 17 miles high, it is three times taller than Mount Everest and about the size of the state of Arizona. Red Planet

: 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. : The Valles Marineris canyon system stretches for

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. At roughly 17 miles high, it is three

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.

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