Researchers suggest that Mars' characteristic red color is due to a chemical called ferrihydrite, indicating the planet was once covered in water.
Mars, the fourth planet from the Sun, has a thin atmosphere and features volcanoes, canyons, and evidence of ancient rivers and lakes.
The red color of Mars has been observed and recorded throughout history, and the belief that it was caused by rust-like materials is challenged by recent research.
The discovery of ferrihydrite in Martian dust suggests the existence of cooler, wet conditions on Mars in the past, enhancing the possibility of past habitability.