Mars (Sol IV)

Due to its highly eccentric orbit (it is a much longer ellipse than the other planets' orbits) Mars passes by the Earth at very different distances on its closest approach which happens roughly every two years. In 2003, Mars passed us when it was at its closest point to the Sun. The earth passed its farthest position from the Sun only just over a month before. Since Mars orbits farther from the Sun than the Earth, this happy coincidence brought the two planets closer together than at any time since our distant ancestors lived in caves.

The Mars Express probe (the first European interplanetary spacecraft) is now orbiting the red planet and returning fantastic images of the planet's surface. Also doing great work from Mars orbit are NASA's Mars Odyssey and Mars Global Surveyor.

Mars Express has made the first direct detection of water ice at Mars' south pole. This opens the way for a future Mars colony which could exploit this resource by melting it for drinking and irrigation water, and electrolysing it into breathable oxygen and for hydrogen rocket fuel.

NASA's Spirit and Opportunity landers are on opposite sides of Mars and have explored the surface in detail never before attempted.

For more Mars info try these websites:
What time is it on Mars? NASA site where you can download, or view online, a great Mars-time clock.
Mars Express
Spirit and Opportunity
Mars Odyssey
Mars Global Surveyor
Beagle 2

Spirit

Mars Express