Astronomical overview
Mars has a thin atmosphere and clear evidence of past water-related processes.
It remains a major target for robotic missions searching for signs of ancient microbial life.
♂ · Ephemerides
Observation date
Mars
The fourth planet from the Sun; its red appearance comes from iron-oxide-rich dust.
- AU
- 1.459
- ECL
- 44.2°
- MAG
- 1.31
01 — Current astronomical data
Parameters and context
- Heliocentric distance
- 1.459 AU
- Ecliptic longitude
- 44.16°
- Ecliptic latitude
- -0.18°
- Apparent magnitude
- 1.31 mag
- Right ascension
- 4 h 40 min
- Declination
- 22.03°
- Altitude above horizon
- 14.8°
- Azimuth
- 73.1°
Astrological meaning
In astrology, Mars represents drive, initiative and response under pressure.
Mythology
The name comes from Mars, the Roman god often identified with the Greek Ares.
02 — 05
Key facts
- 01Olympus Mons is the tallest known volcano in the Solar System.
- 02Valles Marineris is one of the largest canyon systems known.
- 03Polar caps contain both water ice and dry ice.
- 04Multiple rovers have operated on Mars across several missions.
- 05Seasonal dust changes strongly affect observing conditions.
Parameters and context
- Sidereal day
- 24 h 37 min
- Solar day
- 24 h 39 min
- Year length
- 687 days (~1.88 Earth years)
- Rotation speed
- 868.0 km/h • 14.62°/h
- Orbital speed
- 24.10 km/s
- Distance from Sun
- 227.90 million km
- Diameter
- 6,779 km
- Gravity
- 3.7 m/s²
- Mean temperature
- -63 °C