WHY MARS APPEARS RED??

Mars is one of our neighboring planets; it is the fourth planet from the sun and the second-smallest planet in our solar system. Scientists have been very interested in the exploration of Mars, and one of the questions currently being investigated is why Mars appears red. Mars is covered in a lot of iron oxide- these are the small compounds that give blood and rust their distinct color.

The Mars rovers named Spirit and Opportunity took samples of this rusty dust to be examined. It is not just one color, but a variety of browns, reds, and oranges. The dust is very fine and easily spread by the huge storms that take place on Mars. This often gives the impression that the sky is also red, but it is speculated that this is just the dust being carried around the atmosphere in the strong winds. In light of this, it's no coincidence that Mars, which occasionally appears as a bright red 'star', was named after the Greek god of War.

• Chemical Formula: Fe₂O₃
• IUPAC Name: Iron (III) oxide 

Properties:

1. Red-Brown solid
2. Odorless
3. Insoluble in water