Exhibits

Three themes make up the exhibition:

‘From Myth to reality’, the history of the discovery and representation of Mars;
‘Planet Mars’, current knowledge about the planet;
‘Missions to Mars’, present and future exploration of the planet.

In each part, multimedia displays, interactive, computer and audio-visual display terminals take the visitor on a voyage of discovery to the red planet. The highly entertaining nature of all the elements arouses their activity and involvement with the exhibition. Nine explanatory display panels provide supplementary information.

The Martian myth has fed the fantasies of many artists, astrologists and authors as well as the avid producers of science-fiction films… How have the descriptions of Mars produced by our collective imaginations developed over the course of time? How much have they been influenced by scientific knowledge?

Elements of the exhibition

Once upon a time on Mars
display panels

Aim: To trace out the parallel history between the astronomic observation methods and the history of the descriptions, and interpretations that have been developed concerning Mars.

Martian Portraits
interactive terminals

Aim: To show the evolution of the different images of ''life on Mars'' that have been created by our collective imaginations, images that remain influenced by scientific discovery. The visitor’s reflection becomes merged with three images of Martians from different periods.

 

 

 

Science or Fiction?
Interactive terminal

Aim: To give the visitor the opportunity to find out what is scientific reality and what is artistic imagination, from amongst a selection of various comic books and films.

 

Mars is one of the planets in our solar system and named after the Roman god of war. It is dry and cold, called the ‘Red Planet’ because of the red-coloured dust that the wind picks up from the surface. Discover, thanks to recent space technology the, latest views of Mars.

Elements of the exhibition

Views of Mars
interactive display

Aim: To understand the geological and climatic history of the Red Planet from looking at views of the landscape, the storms and the old water courses...

A ship to Mars
interactive display

Aim: To observe the planet Mars as if from a space ship, comparing it to Earth using characteristic parameters (pressure, surface temperature, topography, old watercourses, etc).

Evolutions compared
interactive display

Aim: To compare the evolution of the different bodies in our solar system: Earth, Mars and the moon, and to understand that this evolution is due to mass, size and distance from the sun.

 

 

 

 

Currently, the space probes Mars Exploration A & B and Mars Express are heading towards Mars. They will complete the probes that are already in action around the planet, like Mars Global Surveyor, that are waiting to complete the task of collecting samples. Can all this international space fleet discover any possible traces of life on our neighbouring planet?

Elements of the exhibition

Pilot your own probe
interactive display terminal

Aim: To learn about the different phases of a sensor’s deployment from its launch right through to its entry into Mars's orbit.

Humans on Mars
computer display terminal

Aim: To understand the complexity of organising a manned Mars mission, paying specific attention to possible equipment problems and the difficulties brought about by human frailty.

Martian missions
audio-visual terminal

Aim: To learn about the main Martian missions from the past, present and future, and the investigation methods that have been developed for them, such as robots.

Martian Exploration

On a small patch of reconstituted Martian soil, visitors may ‘explore’ the planet using a steerable robot both in real time and with a time delay. Different situational models of probes, landers and rovers are used to learn about the space fleet deployed to explore the planet.

 

 

 

Models of space engines

-The Franco-American project of 1999 that was used for collecting samples;
- The Mars Sample Return at different phases
- The Mars Express probe
- The Pathfinder Lander
- The Sojourner Rover and Mars Exploration Rover

Aim: To be aware of the space fleet deployed to explore the Red Planet.

CONTENT OF THE EXHIBITION

Note: The list of exhibition elements stated in this document is not contractual. Certain modifications to the exhibition can be made at any moment (the addition or replacement of audio-visual terminals, models, information panels…) in order to up-date the exposition if necessary.