What distinct color is associated with the planet Mars when visible as a star-like object in the west?
Answer
Ruddy (reddish-orange) hue
Mars is famously known among solar system bodies for its ruddy or reddish-orange color. When this planet is visible low in the western sky as a star-like object, this distinct coloration serves as a primary visual cue for identification, setting it apart from the brighter, whiter, or pale yellow lights emitted by Venus, Jupiter, or Saturn. While Mars's brightness can dramatically increase during periods of close approach to Earth, its characteristic hue remains a reliable identifier.
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