The Color of Mars

The fourth planet from the sun is Mars, which is oftenpraised for its rusty red hue. But the red color we typically associate with the “Red Planet”is largely a result of the shimmering dust that covers its surface. In reality, the hue of Mars is much more multicolored, with different parts of the planet taking on diverse colors.

Iron Oxide Gives Mars Its Red Looks

The red hue that is associated with Mars is due to a thin coating of iron oxide on its surface. The iron oxide has a distinctive rust color to it, which imparts Mars’s red likeness.The oxide coats the large rocks and dusty regolith (bits of broken up rock and ice) that make up the Martian surface. The iron oxide coating creates a rust-likepatina over the rocks, which can make an entire region appear red.

Color Variations Across the Martian Surface

Though the rusty red of Mars is identified with the planet, an examination of its landscape reveals a wide range of color variations. One of the main reasons is that different terrain and elevations are subject to varying amounts of sunlight.Shadowed regions experience less light, meaning they tend to appear bluish in color. Furthermore, different types of terrain have different materials, which take on their own colors. For instance, several regions of Mars are dominated by light tan colored sand. Additionally, minerals like olivine are often green, giving off a vibrant hue that complements the planet’s rustier tones.

Overall, Mars is a multi-colored world, with shades of red, blue, brown and green marking its landscape. But, its surface does tend to carry a reddish hue due to the iron oxide coating on its rocks and regoliths. This iconic color is what we typically associate the most with Mars, and has helped in naming our neighbor in the Solar System “the Red Planet”.