This is a map of Mars and its most prominent features, such as the mountain Olympus Mons, and the canyon Valles Marineris. Both are the largest of their kind in the solar system.

Mars has a significant presence in Not Dark Yet, although the novel is not set there.

Today several rovers and orbiters are at work on the red planet.

The space organizations have long since started the planning and development of the technologies and procedures that will be necessary for human space flight to Mars.

It seems likely that humans some day will land on the red planet, or at least make a serious attempt to. But no one can say exactly when that will happen.

(This is the first in a series of posts leading up to the launch of Not Dark Yet in November.)

(Image: Alwyn Botha, Additional credits in the lower left corner.)