The polar caps shown are an approximate model derived from Mars' solar longitude (Ls), not an observed image — real dust storms and clouds are not reflected.
This globe is a 3D model computed from the real orientation and lighting for the moment shown: the sub-Earth and sub-solar points come from a high-precision ephemeris (astronomy-engine), corrected for the 6-21 minutes it takes light to reach Earth from Mars, which shifts the visible rotation. Surface colour is the USGS Astrogeology Viking Colorized Global Mosaic (public domain) — a pseudo-color composite reconstructed from red- and violet-filter frames (the so-called "Viking red"), which reads somewhat redder than Mars' actual hue.
Unlike the Moon, Mars' rotation is not synchronized with Earth's, so the central meridian sweeps through nearly every longitude in 24h 37m. Advancing time here actually spins the model; dragging to look around is always free, and "Reset view" brings you back to the real-time facing at any point. The polar caps are an approximate model from solar longitude (Ls), not an observed image. Feature names follow the IAU Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.
Data: USGS Astrogeology Viking Colorized Global Mosaic (PD) · Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature / USGS Astrogeology, IAU