MARS EXPLORED; EARTHLINGS ON THE LOOKOUT FROM LIVING ROOM COMMAND CENTERS.(CNY)

Byline: William LaRue Staff writer; Page design by Keith Thompson / staff artist

Mars is a cold and distant planet, but interest in the fourth rock from the Sun has become red hot again on Earth.

The successful Jan. 3 landing of rover Spirit and its transmission of pictures and data have inspired a new wave of interest in Mars. But the Red Planet has long been a gold mine for our collective imaginations. It helped to inspire the H.G. Wells' novel "War of the Worlds," video games, toys, movies, TV series and, most recently, entire Internet sites.

Here are some of the many ways we can dig Mars right now:

Fun and games

- Lego Mars Exploration Rover ($89.99). An 857-piece building-block model of robotic geologists Spirit and Opportunity.

- Mars 2020 board game ($24.99). Manufactured by Aristoplay, the goal is to be the first player …

MARS EXPLORED; EARTHLINGS ON THE LOOKOUT FROM LIVING ROOM COMMAND CENTERS.(CNY)

Byline: William LaRue Staff writer; Page design by Keith Thompson / staff artist

Mars is a cold and distant planet, but interest in the fourth rock from the Sun has become red hot again on Earth.

The successful Jan. 3 landing of rover Spirit and its transmission of pictures and data have inspired a new wave of interest in Mars. But the Red Planet has long been a gold mine for our collective imaginations. It helped to inspire the H.G. Wells' novel "War of the Worlds," video games, toys, movies, TV series and, most recently, entire Internet sites.

Here are some of the many ways we can dig Mars right now:

Fun and games

- Lego Mars Exploration Rover ($89.99). An 857-piece building-block model of robotic geologists Spirit and Opportunity.

- Mars 2020 board game ($24.99). Manufactured by Aristoplay, the goal is to be the first player …