mars is a terrestrial planet and made of rock. the ground there is red because of iron oxide (rust) in the rocks and dust. the planet's atmosphere is very thin. it is mostly carbon dioxide with some argon and nitrogen and tiny amounts of other gases including oxygen. the temperatures on mars are colder than on earth, because it is farther away from the sun and has less air to keep heat in. there is water ice and frozen carbon dioxide at the north and south poles. mars does not have any liquid water on the surface now, but signs of run-off on the surface were probably caused by water.