PLANETS
How to find Mars in the night sky
Locate the red planet and compare its changing position in your sky.
Find Mars in my skyRecognize the color
Mars can appear orange or reddish. Its brightness varies considerably as its distance from Earth changes. Color alone is not enough to identify it, because some stars also look warm in color.
Match the surrounding sky
Search for Mars and center it in Orion. Turn on constellation lines to compare the surrounding pattern. Set your location and return to Live before matching the map with what you see outside.
Choose an observing time
Check whether Mars is above the horizon and use time travel to compare its altitude later. A telescope is needed for surface detail; Orion displays a selectable position marker rather than a simulated telescopic image.
Why does Mars sometimes look much fainter?
Earth and Mars change their separation as they travel around the Sun. Mars therefore varies strongly in apparent brightness and size; an impressive view from a previous year is not a reliable expectation for tonight. Check the magnitude in the object panel, where a smaller number means a brighter object.
How can I distinguish Mars from a reddish star?
Color is only a clue. Set Orion to Live, match the direction and altitude, then compare the surrounding star pattern. If those do not agree, check the chosen location and phone heading before identifying the object. A warm-colored star can otherwise be mistaken for the planet.
Will a telescope show surface detail?
Mars can remain a small disk even through a telescope. Its apparent size, the steadiness of the atmosphere and the equipment all affect the detail you can distinguish. Start with identification and a stable view rather than expecting a spacecraft photograph. Orion’s symbol marks the position and does not simulate surface features.