Why Is Mars Red? Story Behind The Colour

Planet Mars has intrigued humanity for centuries.

- ABHIJEET KABAD

As one of the most explored planets in our Solar System, NASA has sent numerous rovers to conduct experiments. Yet, the "Red Planet" has long piqued our imagination, especially as it prominently glows red in the sky. But what exactly gives Mars its distinctive colour?

Earlier studies failed to detect any evidence of water on Mars, leading to the assumption that the red hue came from iron oxide, or hematite. However, new research from NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA), published in Nature Communications, offers a different perspective.