Red Color of Mars

• 03 Mar 2025

Source: TOI 

The study, based on data from several space missions and ground-level observations, suggests that Mars' red color is primarily due to Ferrihydrite—a water-formed iron oxide—rather than the previously assumed Hematite. 

• Ferrihydrite forms in cool, water-rich conditions, whereas hematite forms in dry, warm conditions.  
  • It suggests that Mars once had liquid water, potentially supporting life. Additionally, the study revealed hydrogen bound to iron-rich minerals, further indicating past interactions with liquid water on Mars. 

Mars: Mars is the 4^th planet from the Sun and the second-smallest in the Solar System after Mercury. 

• About half Earth's size, it hosts Olympus Mons (largest volcano), and has 2 moons (Phobos and Deimos). 
• Mars completes a rotation every 24.6 hours, making its day nearly identical in length to Earth's (23.9 hours). Martian days are called sols.  
  • A year on Mars lasts 669.6 sols, which is the same as 687 Earth days. 
• Its axis is tilted at 25 degrees relative to its orbit, similar to Earth’s axial tilt of 23.4 degrees.  
  • Mars experiences seasons like Earth, but they are longer in duration.  
• Important Mars Missions:  
  • NASA's Mars Mission, India’s MOM, UAE’s Hope  
  • Tianwen-1: China's Mars Mission 

Read More: NASA's Mars Sample Return Program