# NASA Curiosity Photo Shows Mars in True Blue Tones

> NASA's Curiosity rover captured Mars without color correction, revealing striking blue tones in a raw image.
- Title: NASA Curiosity Photo Shows Mars in True Blue Tones · Mashable
- Summary: NASA's Curiosity rover captured Mars without color correction, revealing striking blue tones in a raw image. NASA's unedited Mars photo shows blue-toned…
- Keywords: nasa, curiosity rover, mars, color correction, martian terrain, yardangs, white balancing, technology, culture, Curiosity, Photo, Shows
- Source: Mashable — https://mashable.com/science/nasa-curiosity-rover-photo-mars-blue-tones
- Author: Elisha Sauers
- Published: 2026-10-17T09:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: nasa, curiosity rover, mars, color correction, martian terrain, yardangs, white balancing, technology, culture
## Curiosity Captures Mars Panorama
NASA's Curiosity rover snapped a wide view of Martian ridges carved by wind on Aug. 11, 2026.
## Mars Appears Blue in Raw Image
The unedited photo shows a pale custard sky over slate-colored terrain with blue-toned rocks.
## Why Mars Looks Red Traditionally
Ancient Romans called Mars the god of war due to its blood-like color, while Egyptians named it Her Desher, meaning 'the red one'.
## NASA Skipped Color Correction
NASA released the raw image without white balancing, a process that usually adjusts colors for Earth-like sunlight.

> an artistic choice
## White Balancing Explained
White balancing corrects dust-tinted light to show rocks' true colors, but uncorrected images appear monochrome during dust storms.
## Scientist Insights on Mars Color
Mike Malin says Mars' pink-red dust hides geology, while Mark Lemmon notes dust affects how sunlight illuminates the surface.
## True Color vs. Camera Effects
The unedited image shows blue tones from rocks, but camera sensors can add extra blue due to weak sunlight.
## Key takeaway

NASA's unedited Mars photo shows blue-toned terrain, challenging the planet's red appearance due to dust and sunlight.