Arizona and Mars

There are many places around the State of Arizona which either resemble Mars or have played some role in the scientific exploration of Mars. In addition, many of these sites were used for training astronauts for missions to the Moon and in training geologists' eyes to interpret landforms like Meteor Crater. Here we list some of these sites. See if you can name more. Also, try to visit these places and perhaps take your class to explore their own local Mars connections.

Click HERE for a comparison of mountains on Mars and Earth.

Click HERE for a comparison of Olympus Mons volcano with Arizona.

 
ARIZONA			MARS

The Grand Canyon 	compare with Valles Marineris!
 
The size of Arizona 	compare with Olympus Mons volcano
 
Sunset Crater 
volcano and lava flows 	compare with Mars volcanoes
 
Meteor Crater 		compare with Mars craters
 
Sand dunes (northern 
and s.w. AZ)  		compare shape, size, minerals w/Mars
 
Dry riverbeds 		Mars has these, too.
 
Desert landscapes	compare with Viking lander images
 
Lowell Observatory, 
Flagstaff 		built in 1894 to observe Mars
 
AZ State Univ., 
Tempe 			carries out a variety of Mars research
 
Univ. Arizona, 
Tucson 			also conducts Mars research
 
U.S. Geological 
Survey, Astrogeology 
Branch, Flagstaff 	conducts Mars research and makes Mars maps

Return to Table of Contents.

TES 1994-1995 Curriculum Guide / Arizona Mars K-12 Education Program