A

argon- a colorless, odorless gaseous element that can be found in volcanic gases.

atmosphere- the mass of air, clouds, gases, and vapor, surrounding the Earth or other heavenly body.

axis- an imaginary line about which a rotating body turns (plural axes)

B

basalt- dark colored lava rock

C

carbon dioxide - a heavy gas with no odor, formed from carbon and oxygen

crater - a large hole in the ground, shaped like a bowl, that is mainly created by meteors.

D

deposit - a natural accumulation

density- the amount of something per unit

E

elliptical - an oblique circle

F

G

gravitational field - the area of interaction between two masses

gravity - a mutual physical force attracting two bodies.

H

hemisphere - half of a sphere

I

image- a picture formed when light shines in a mirror or through a camera lens.

J

K

L

lunar- pertaining to the moon

M

magnetic field - a region of space near a magnetized body where magnetic forces can be detected.

mission- the sending forth of a person or group to perform a special job.

N

NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

nitrogen- a gas that has no color, smell, or taste and makes up about 70% of Earth's atmosphere.

O

Olympus Mons- the tallest volcano on Mars and in the solar system.

orbit- a curved path described by a planet, satellite, etc., about a celestial body as the sun

oxygen- a colorless, odorless gas that living things need to breathe.

ozone layer - a layer of ozone that shields the earth from the sun's ultraviolet light

P

Pavonis Mons- a giant shield volcano on Mars that is over 12 miles high.

Q

R

radiation- light or energy such as from the sun that travels through the air.

S

satellite- a heavenly body that revolves around a planet or another large body in space.

season- one of the four parts of the year like spring, summer, winter, and fall.

silicon - non-metallic element found in minerals and rocks that make up 1/4 of the earth's crust.

sol- the Martian day measured from noon to noon; equals 24 hours and 39 minutes.

solar system- the sun and the bodies that move in orbit around it.

solar wind- the charged particles (plasma), primarily protons and electrons, that are emitted from the sun and stream outward throughout the solar system at speeds of hundreds of kilometers per second.

spacecraft- a vehicle capable of traveling in outer space.

sphere- a round body whose surface is at all points the same distance from the center.

T

terrain- ground or land.

topography- the detailed description of the physical features of an area.

U

ultraviolet radiation -invisible form of light produced by the sun that can cause health problems to living things when they are overexposed to this rays

V

Valles Marineris- an extensive and very deep canyon system on Mars

volcano- a mountain with vents through which molten lava, ash, cinders and gas erupt.

W

water vapor- the gas produced when water evaporates.

X

xenon - heavy, colorless, relatively inert gaseous element

Y

Z

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