No planet in our solar system is more similar to Earth than the Red Planet. Thanks to spacecraft that have been circling Mars and crawling across its surface for decades, we’ve learned that this world is now a deeply frozen wasteland. But long ago it was much warmer, had a dense atmosphere, and had rivers of liquid water flowing across its surface. What happened to Mars? Was life ever present on its surface? What’s it like today? And why is it red? Get the latest scientific findings — and enjoy you-are-there 3D views of its surface — in this informative and entertaining update.
Kelly Beatty has been explaining the science and wonder of astronomy to the public since 1974. An award-winning writer and communicator, he specializes in planetary science and space exploration as Senior Editor for Sky & Telescope magazine. Beatty enjoys sharing his passion for astronomy with a wide spectrum of audiences, from children to professional astronomers, and you'll occasionally hear his interviews and guest commentaries on The Weather Channel and National Public Radio.
This program is part of the adult summer reading program, "A Universe of Stories". The program is free and open to everyone.