Mars: A Century of Exploration

by Dr. Bob Gardner
Department of Mathematics
Department of Physics
Institute of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
East Tennessee State University

Practically everything we know about Mars, we have learned in the last 100 years. In this show, we'll recap the history of the study of Mars, see what is planned for future exploration, and discuss our current understanding of the "red planet." Special attention will be given to the possibility of a crewed mission to Mars and the current state of evidence for the existence of Martian life.


The Hubble Space Telescope captures a full rotation of Mars.
(Photo Number STScI-PRC97-09b, WIFPIC2, March 20, 1997)

  1. Welcome and Introduction
  2. Sunset
  3. Introductory Slides
  4. Space-Based Exploration Before Viking
  5. The Viking Missions
  6. Space-Based Exploration, 1990 to Present
  7. Some Problems
  8. Future Probes to Mars
  9. Mars: The Specs
  10. Geologic Features
  11. The Moons: Phobos and Deimos
  12. Life on Mars: The Myths
  13. Life on Mars: The Science
  14. A Crewed Mission to Mars
  15. Some Interesting Internet Sites

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