SPACE

Have you ever wondered what is above us? Well, that is what we will tell you today. We will reveal why Mars is called the red planet and about Jupiter's big red spot. So carry on reading, and you will find what lies in our solar system...

THE RED PLANET

Mars got it's nickname as the red planet after it's red appearance as a star in the sky. The color caused the Romans and ancient Greeks to name it after their god of war, Mars. Today, thanks to visiting spacecraft, we know that the planet's appearance is due to the rust in the Martian rocks. Mars is the fourth planet from the sun. Although people think it is the hottest because of it's color, Venus is ( And yes we know Venus is further away from the sun than Mercury so don't ask).

JUPITER'S RED SPOT

Ten years ago, on the 30th of December 2000, NASA'S Cassini spacecraft made it's closest approach to Jupiter on it's way to orbiting Saturn. Jupiter's trademark Great Red Spot - a swirling anti-cyclonic larger than the earth - has shrunk to it's smallest size ever measured.

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by Lila and Charlotte