"The Martian" is a science fiction novel by Andy Weir, published in 2011. It follows the story of Mark Watney, an astronaut who is left stranded on Mars after his crew evacuates the planet, believing him to be dead. Mark, an expert botanist and mechanical engineer, must use his skills to survive on the planet while NASA attempts to rescue him. He faces a series of challenges, including finding a way to grow food, generate oxygen, and communicate with Earth. The novel alternates between Mark's fi