Romans named Mars for their god of war because its color was reminiscent of blood and Egyptians called the planet “Her Desher,” meaning “the red one,” according to the European Space Agency.

The scientists decided that the planet’s red color more closely matches that of iron oxides containing water, called ferrihydrite. That version of rust typically forms quickly in cool water. Therefore ...

"Mars is still the Red Planet. It’s just that our understanding of why Mars is red has been transformed." Mars is widely known for its iconic rusty red color — many people even refer to it as ...