Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun and the second smallest planet in our Solar system after Mercury. Because Mars often appears in our sky as a red planet it was named after the Roman god of war. Mars is one of the most studied planets, with 16 successful missions sending back information from orbiters, landers, and rovers. Mars is home to the tallest mountain in the Solar system, Olympus Mons, more than twice as high as Mt. Everest.

In our model, Mars has been shrunk down to less than a quarter of an inch in diameter, just about the size of a small wooden bead.

Mars is the last of the four terrestrial planets and thus made up of hard, rocky materials.