Changes

== Ancient knowledge and naming ==

== Ancient knowledge and naming ==

Mars has the [[Rome|Roman]] name of the classical god of war. This name in turn derives from the [[Greece|Greek]] name ''Ares'' for this god. (The traditional symbol of Mars is his shield and spear.) The ancient [[Egypt]]ians simply called Mars ''Her Descher'', or "the red one."<ref name=Hamilton>Hamilton, Calvin J. "[http://www.solarviews.com/eng/mars.htm Entry for Mars]." ''Views on the Solar System'', 2008. Accessed May 27, 2008.</ref> The [[Hindu]]s call Mars Mangala, one of the Navagraha.<ref name=ucar>"[http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/mythology/mangala.html&edu=high Mangala]." ''Windows to the Universe'', University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, University of Michigan, September, 2000. Accessed May 27, 2008.</ref> The [[Maya]] people also tracked Mars regularly.

Mars has the [[Rome|Roman]] name of the classical god of war. This name in turn derives from the [[Greece|Greek]] name ''Ares'' for this god. (The traditional symbol of Mars is his shield and spear.) The ancient [[Egypt]]ians simply called Mars ''Her Descher'', or "the red one."<ref name=Hamilton>Hamilton, Calvin J. "[http://www.solarviews.com/eng/mars.htm Entry for Mars]." ''Views on the Solar System'', 2008. Accessed May 27, 2008.</ref> The [[Hindu]]s call Mars Mangala, one of the Navagraha.<ref name=ucar>"[http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/mythology/mangala.html&edu=high Mangala]." ''Windows to the Universe'', University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, University of Michigan, September, 2000. Accessed May 27, 2008.</ref> The [[Maya]] people also tracked Mars regularly.  Pacific islanders regarded Mars as a representation of the god of death.

== Orbital characteristics ==

== Orbital characteristics ==

[[Image:F035a72_processed.jpg|thumb|100px|left|Cydonia Mensae, home of the alleged "face on Mars."]]

[[Image:F035a72_processed.jpg|thumb|100px|left|Cydonia Mensae, home of the alleged "face on Mars."]]

Persistent rumors tell of a "face on Mars," allegedly located in the Cydonia Mensae region at coordinates 40.9°N and 9.45°W. This alleged "face" is located in the midst of several pyramids and other mountains. Prevailing opinion at NASA is that the "face" is a trick of the eye due to the unusual lighting conditions.<ref name=faq>Williams, David R. "[http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/planetaryfaq.html#Mars Frequently Asked Questions - Planetary - Mars]." National Space Science Data Center, [[National Aeronautics and Space Administration|NASA]], January 2, 2008. Accessed May 27, 2008.</ref>

Persistent rumors tell of a "face on Mars," allegedly located in the Cydonia Mensae region at coordinates 40.9°N and 9.45°W. This alleged "face" is located in the midst of several pyramids and other mountains. Prevailing opinion at NASA is that the "face" is a trick of the eye due to the unusual lighting conditions.<ref name=faq>Williams, David R. "[http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/planetaryfaq.html#Mars Frequently Asked Questions - Planetary - Mars]." National Space Science Data Center, [[National Aeronautics and Space Administration|NASA]], January 2, 2008. Accessed May 27, 2008.</ref>

=== Water on Mars ===

=== Water on Mars ===