Celebrating Mars on Red Planet Day

Red Planet Day, celebrated annually on the 28th of November, celebrates the day on which NASA successfully launched its Mariner 4 spacecraft on a mission to Mars. Essentially, the day commemorates the exploration, understanding and appreciation of our neighbouring Red Planet.

Why is Mars Called the Red Planet?

Mars is often referred to as the ‘red planet’ because of the simple fact that it has a red appearance. The planet is covered in reddish-brown sand caused by iron oxide (otherwise known as rust) found on its surface.

Mars has fascinated humans since the first time we laid eyes on it so many years ago. From its polar ice caps and massive volcanoes to the deepest canyon and evidence of former vast oceans… The red planet is both familiar and alien in many ways.

The Mariner 4 Spacecraft

In 1964, the Mariner 4 spacecraft became the very first to successfully fly to Mars and send back close-up images of the previously undiscovered planet. To this day, this accomplishment remains one of the most significant in space exploration history.

The images revealed a barren, catered landscape of nothing but red sand and some rocks. This challenged previous speculations that the planet was home to networks of canals and even potential Martian civilizations.

More so, the Mariner 4 helped scientists better understand the Martian atmosphere and whether or not it is suitable for sustaining human life. Unlike Earth, however, Mars’ atmosphere is mostly made up of carbon dioxide.

Human Colonisation

Since the Mariner 4, there have been a number of successful spacecraft missions to the Red Planet, including the Viking 1 and 2, the Pathfinder and the Curiosity Rover. Each mission has provided small bits of information regarding the planet, helping scientists discover exactly which conditions will need to be met in order to enable human colonisation.

As technology advances, the prospect of sending humans to Mars becomes more and more realistic. In fact, NASA’s Artemis project is specifically aimed at establishing a sustainable human presence on the Red Planet. Along with the help of private companies, such as SpaceX, this seemingly impossible feat may just become a reality much sooner than we think…

Celebrating Red Planet Day

Most people see Red Planet Day as an opportunity to celebrate just how far humans have come in terms of space exploration. In other words, it is a day to celebrate human curiosity and our relentless pursuit of knowledge – no matter how impossible it may seem.

Each year, educational events, public lectures and planetarium shows are organised to celebrate the astonishing accomplishments of mankind.

So, what can you do to celebrate Red Planet Day?

Mars-Themed Casino Games

This Red Planet Day, be sure to celebrate our marvel of a neighbouring planet by playing some of the greatest Mars-inspired casino games out there.

Money From Mars (developed by Ainsworth) is by far the most popular choice, with its retro 1950s theme. The game also ties in some fun robot and alien symbols, making it the perfect choice for any outer space enthusiast.

Starburst (developed by NetEnt) is another immensely popular planet-themed slot that offers a variety of fun features. Players can also try out Star Invaders, which is exclusively available on Pokerstars Casino. This slot has an interstellar theme and combines classic slot features with a futuristic space adventure.

Conclusion

Red Planet Day is celebrated annually on the 28th of November and commemorates NASAs first successful mission to our neighbouring planet, Mars.

To celebrate Red Planet Day, be sure to try out some of the super fun Mars-themed casino games on offer, such as Starburst, Star Invaders and Money From Mars.