Mars Comparative Planetology: Observations and Inferences
Observations: we use our senses and instruments to gather data.
Inferences: logical interpretation based upon prior knowledge and experience, based upon observations
Examine this photo. Please select check whether each statement
is an observation or inference.
This is a photo of Mars taken by a NASA satellite.
Mars has large and small craters.
Mountains in the lower right formed from
ejecta from the nearby craters.
Mars has areas of flat terrain and regions
that are more heavily cratered.
Mars’s surface and atmosphere are reddish.
Mars’ atmosphere has large amounts of dust.
Mars’ rocks are red because iron minerals
in its rocks would oxide (rust) in its atmosphere.
Please write your own observation from the photo:
Please write your own inference, using the photo:
 Observation
Examine this data. Please select check whether each statement is an observation or inference.
Mars’ daytime temperature is about
90 °C higher than its nighttime temperature.
Winter on Mars is about 330 days after summer.
Spirit was closer to the equator when it took
these data.
A dust storm helped to trap heat during the
night around the 900th day.
Maximum temperatures at Spirit’s location drop
more in winter than minimum temperatures do.
Please write your own observation related to the data table:
Please write your own inference related to the data table: