No, Mars is not bigger than Earth. In fact, it’s significantly smaller in several key ways:
- Size: Mars is about half the size of Earth in terms of radius and diameter.
- Radius: Mars has a radius of approximately 2,106 miles (3,390 kilometers), whereas Earth’s radius is 3,959 miles (6,371 kilometers).
- Diameter: Mars’ diameter is about 4,221 miles (6,792 kilometers), compared to Earth’s 7,926 miles (12,756 kilometers).
- Circumference: Mars has an equatorial circumference of roughly 13,232 miles (21,344 kilometers), while Earth’s is much larger at 24,901 miles (40,075 kilometers).
- Mass and Gravity: Mars is only about 10% as massive as Earth. Its gravitational pull is weaker as well, with Mars’ gravity being 38% of Earth’s. This means you would weigh significantly less on Mars.
- Volume and Density: Mars has about 15% of Earth’s volume and is less dense, which reflects its different composition and smaller core.
- Planet Size: Mars is the second smallest planet in our solar system, while Earth ranks as the fifth largest.
Despite these differences, some people mistakenly think Mars is bigger than Earth. This is often due to popular portrayals in movies and books that show Mars as a prominent planet with impressive landscapes, leading to a perception of grandeur. Additionally, Mars is often discussed in the context of human exploration, which adds to its reputation as a “big” destination. However, based purely on physical size and mass, Mars is much smaller than Earth.
