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In Part 2 of Episode 4 of What on Earth, we leave the Sun behind and begin our journey through the Solar System. Starting with the rocky planets of the inner Solar System: Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars.

Our first stop is Mercury, a small planet with a disproportionately large metal core, an ancient, heavily cratered surface, and chemistry that still challenges planetary formation models. From there, we move outward to Venus, Earth’s so-called sister planet, where vast volcanic landscapes and a runaway greenhouse effect reveal how dramatically planetary evolution can diverge even between similar-sized worlds.

Back home, we briefly touch on Earth and its unusually large Moon, active plate tectonics, magnetic field, and the unique presence of liquid water and life, features that make our planet stand out among the rocky worlds.

Finally, we arrive at Mars: a planet of extremes. From the massive canyon system of Valles Marineris and the towering Olympus Mons to its tiny moons Phobos and Deimos, Mars tells a story of a thinning atmosphere, and ancient river systems. We also discuss recent discoveries that hint at possible biosignatures, not proof of life, but some of the most intriguing clues yet.