Mars surface color

Mars appears reddish from a distance because of rusty atmospheric dust. At close range, its surface looks more butterscotch, with golden, brown, tan, and greenish colors also occurring according to the minerals present. Its visible color helped people distinguish Mars from other planets early in human history and influenced names and associations connected with war, Egyptian tradition, and Indian astrology.

Distant appearance

Reddish because of rusty atmospheric dust

Close-up appearance

Butterscotch

Early Egyptian name

Har decher, meaning “Red One”