To determine whether the object you are observing is Mars, several factors need to be considered, including the time of year, time of night, Mars’ position in its orbit, and its current visibility from your location.
Mars is visible to the naked eye and appears as a bright, reddish point of light in the sky. The visibility of Mars from Bavaria, or any specific location, depends on its position relative to Earth in its orbit around the Sun. Mars undergoes a cycle called “opposition,” occurring approximately every 26 months, where it is closest to Earth, rising in the eastern sky around the time the Sun sets. During opposition, Mars is particularly bright and noticeable.
To confirm your sighting, you can use a stargazing app or website to track celestial objects. These tools use your location and time to show real-time positions of stars and planets, helping you identify Mars. Additionally, consider consulting a star chart or astronomy guide for the current visibility of Mars during the month and time you’re observing.
If Mars is not currently visible in the eastern sky from Bavaria, the bright object you see could be another planet, like Jupiter or Saturn, or a bright star. Each has specific characteristics, such as color and brightness level, that can help identify them.