Science Secrets · Drawing 19 of 40
Why Is Mars Red?
Space · An imagined view
Mars often looks like a reddish desert. Its dust and rocks contain iron that has rusted, a bit like an old bike left in the rain. This rust gives much of Mars its reddish colour.
Did you know?
Robots have already driven on Mars.
Look together
Which colours would you imagine for this rocky landscape?
An idea to try
Compare photographs of Mars with the drawing, then choose your colours. Look for rocks, dust and wheel tracks.
For the adult reading along
A little more to discover
Iron oxidation contributes to Martian colours; the entire surface is not uniformly red. The landscape and exploration robot are simplified. This is an imagined view of Mars, not a photograph or a specific rover.
Sources and illustration notes (1)
Simplified scene and shapes. Models, imagined comparisons and enlargements do not preserve all real measurements.
These links lead to other websites. Explore them with an adult. References identify the institution and the related lesson; some linked pages are in French.
- NASA: What Is Mars? (Grades 5–8)Iron oxide in Martian soil produces reddish rust-like colours; orbiters and surface robots study Mars.
Page prepared on October 13, 2026. Illustrations are simplified for colouring.
This drawing is from the book Science Secrets to Colour
Tax calculated at checkout. Terms of sale