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Article on Previous Explorations of Mars by NASA

What is the main idea of this article?

When did the Mariner spaceshuttles explore Mars?

What happened to Mariner 3?

How long did it take Mariner 4 to reach Mars?

NASA writes that "Mariner 3 and 4 were identical spacecraft designed to carry out the first flybys of Mars"

What does "identical" mean in this context?

NASA writes "The pictures, played back from a small tape recorder over a long period, showed lunar–type impact craters…."

What does "period" mean in this context?

In the same sentence below, what is another word that means the same as "impact"?

"The pictures, played back from a small tape recorder over a long period, showed lunar–type impact craters…."?

The article says that "…continuing long–term studies of the solar wind environment and making coordinated measurements with Mariner 5…."

What does "coordinated measurements" mean in this context?

How many years ago did we first photograph Mars?

Is there anything you do not understand about this reading?

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Article on Traveling to Mars by NASA

What is the main idea of NASA's article?

What does the section title "Travelers of the Future, Beware"?

In this sentence: "Arid, rocky, cold and apparently lifeless, the Red Planet offers few hospitalities."

What does "apparently" mean in this context?

In the same sentence below, what is another word or phrase that means the same as "arid"?

"Arid, rocky, cold and apparently lifeless, the Red Planet offers few hospitalities."?

What environment on Earth is most like living on Mars?

Where are the largest volcanoes mentioned in this article?

NASA says that "Mars looms as the ultimate lonely planet destination."

What does "destination" mean in this context?

NASA states "Channeled Scabland in Washington, where catastrophic floods swept through the land…"

What does "catastrophic" mean in this context?