I think most of the daytime shots work. But the issue is do we understand visually what Nev has in mind - that it’s a bright blue sun? In bright light the desert looks grey or white, like it could be ash. The lighting is peculiar and alien but I don’t think the natural assumption is that the desert would be classically yellow without the unnatural lighting (rather that it’s just grey/white). Which isn’t a problem, until the sun starts to set and the sand changes color, which might be confusing.

Or maybe not?

I wonder what the sunset shot looks like.