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Place holder for today's Calendar update:
[51.4792N, 0.0000E] 05/14/2026, 13:00:00 Europe/London
Object: Mars [open sky map]
RA 01h 40m 04.0s Dec +09° 32' 47.6" Appar J2000
Mag: 1.28 (Estimated: JPL) Const: Pisces
Sun Dist: 209,182,682 km [26.2 km/s]
Earth Dist: 332,177,270 km [50.9 km/s]
Current ID: 239313
Martian Year:
38
Martian Astronomical Month:
10
Solar longitude Ls:
281.6
Sol number:
533
Total number of registered users: 19,630
Total number of topics: 9,025
Total number of posts: 234,998
Newest registered user: Scarecrow2025
Registered users online: 1
Guests online: 101
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===
Today on Mars: 0038/20/04 Wednesday Days of the week OFFSET 1 with Earth. (count from Mars to Earth )
Sol 533 Business Month 20 Second month of Quarter 4 of Year 38
Today on Earth: 2026/05/14 Thursday Earth Date)
====*====*====
To see how this calendar works, we show the standard 28 day month at the bottom of this daily report.
There are 20 months of 28 Sols and 4 months of 27 Sols at the end of the four six-month quarters.
New Years Eve is extended to align the Business Calendar for Mars with the Astronomical calendar.
Business and Astronomical both start at zero (to the nanosecond) on New Year's Day.
This calendar has been in operation for two full Mars years (36 and 37). We are in Year 38
This calendar is NOT the Darian Calendar!
Per http://www-mars.lmd.jussieu.fr/mars/tim … _time.html also see: in-the-sky.org for opposition/perigee/aphelion
Martian Year: 38 Martian Astronomical Interval in 12 interval format: 10 <<== The Astronomical interval
Check Longitude: the interval will increment when longitude reaches 300 degrees
===
Solar Longitude: 281.6 Sol Number: 533 Change in degrees is +.6 Julian date is: J0038533
Solar Longitude: 281.0 Sol Number: 532 Change in degrees is +.6 Julian date is: J0038532
Solar Longitude: 280.4 Sol Number: 531 Change in degrees is +.6 Julian date is: J0038531
#>
Note that Solar Longitude measurement varies as a function of location in orbit. Ls 0 is the moment when the Sun appears to transit from one hemisphere to the other. Update from Mars.NASA.gov (The Sun crosses the equator of Mars (Vernal Equinox)). The transition itself is a function of the tilt of an object with respect to the Solar plane. Per squarewidget.com, Hipparchus created the celestial coordinate system we use today.
Note#2: https://theskylive.com/mars-tracker This web site shows the astronomical position of Mars as seen from Earth
Todo: At next Aphelion/Perihelion record the Mars date as J00##### (and set Search term)
Perihelion occurred in 2026 at Ls 251 on Sol 486 - Earth Date 2026/03/27 Next: (estimated) 2028/05/15
Perihelion occurred in 2024 at Ls 251 on Sol 485 - Earth Date 2024/05/08 Next: (estimated) 2026/03/06 (actual) 2026/03/26
Perihelion occurred in 2022 at Ls 251 on Sol 485 - Earth Date 2022/06/21 Next: (actual) 2024/05/08
Aphelion Earth Dates: Next: 2027/03/04 Earlier: 2025/04/16, 2023/05/30, 2021/07/12, 2019/08/25, 2017/10/07, 2015/11/20
Aphelion occurred at--- Ls 071 on Sol 152.
Aphelion occurred near Ls 070 on Sol 153 (per http://www.planetary.org)
Note#3: The computations below are dependent upon both the computations provided by the reference web site and by accuracy of recording of the time of observations. The calculations use tenths of hours. The Sun Distance needs to be captured at the moment the time increments to a given tenth.
Note on data below: The figure quoted after distance is a rate of progress along the orbital path [exact meaning to be determined]
Minus prefix means Mars is approaching the Sun. Plus prefix means Mars is moving away from the Sun.
The figure computed to the right of "Difference" is the rate of change of the distance to Sun. Increasing to Aphelion/Decreasing to Perihelion.
Aphelion of Mars is due March 04, 2027 Sol 151-152 Note velocity of Mars was 22.0 km/s nearing Aphelion (21.97 km/s)
Perhelion of Mars is due May, 2028 Sol 251 Note velocity of Mars was 26.5 km/s nearing Perhelion 2026/03/26
===
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 209,182,682 km [26.2 km/s] Difference is +99760 <= +4157 km/hour at 12.0 on 05/14 (time 12:00) (24.0 hours)
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 209,082,922 km [26.2 km/s] Difference is +98018 <= +4084 km/hour at 12.0 on 05/13 (time 12:00) (24.0 hours)
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 208,984,904 km [26.2 km/s] Difference is +96137 <= +4006 km/hour at 12.0 on 05/12 (time 12:00) (24.0 hours)
==*==*==*
Observation: The sky view is ** filled ** with objects and some have been recorded and given identification by humans or their robot assistants
And! ** All ** the location assignments are from the perspective of Earth. The entire catalog needs to be adjusted when inter-stellar travel begins
The work that lies ahead for the astronomical community is daunting - there is work ahead for centuries
2022/01/19 - All current (existing) stellar catalogs are computed with reference to the Earth. Another civilization would use it's planet as reference.
Perhaps a Milky Way frame of reference will become necessary at some point. The Earth is as good a Zero point as any, for humans.
=== Mars is in Regular movement as seen from Earth.
Mars is in Pisces
Next ahead: Galaxy PGC 1368830 RA 01h 40m 16.9s above path
Star in path: TYC 621-422-1 – RA 01h 38m 45.8s Day 1 Just past Mars
***
Psyche the space craft is behind Mars and approaching rapidly. A way to see the approach is via NASA's 3D viewing site.
Use https://eyes.nasa.gov/apps/solar-system/#/home
Once there, use the menu to select Mars, or just click on Mars.
Psyche can be seen in the default view if you back out from Mars far enough
Far enough varies by date …. Psyche begins to appear from the right (west) as a white line.
However, if you would like to jump to May 15th and watch the flyby in the simulation, here is the URL to do that:
URL os om post here >> http://newmars.com/forums/viewtopic.php … 99#p239099
Psyche is headed to the asteroid belt. It will pass close by Mars (between Phobos and Deimos) between May 15th and May 16h.
====*====*===
Zoom Out Capability As a general observation ... I've become increasingly interested in knowing what the larger view of the sky might be like.
The site: theskylive.com does a terrific job of matching the view from Earth towards Mars, against a background of actual astronomical plates.
I wish there were a way (or rather, I wish I ** knew ** about a way that may exist) to enlarge the view until the entire galaxy is in view (Zoom out)
Update 2022/12/08 TheSkyLive.com provides a large view of selected objects: Select [Major Bodies] Then select [Information] in the body of interest
Update 2022/12/08 Scroll down to (body) Position and Finder Charts. Field of view is 50x30 degrees.
Light travel in one second is (about) 300,000 kilometers. The distance covered in one minute is about 18,000,000 kilometers. Estimated light times:
1:18,2:36,3:54,4:72,5:90,6:108,7:126,8:144,9:162,10:180,11:198,12:216,13:234,14:252,15:270,16:288,17:306,18:324, 19:342,20:360,21:378,22:396
Light travel time today is between 18 and 19 minutes. Communications delay would be 36+ minutes round trip.
=== Time estimate will change below 324 megakm
Earth Distance in km: 2026/05/14 332,177,270 (decreasing)
Earth Distance in km: 2026/05/13 332,465,916 (decreasing)
Earth Distance in km: 2026/05/12 332,752,526 (decreasing)
<<#
Maximum Earth-Mars distance is estimated to be 401 million kilometers (both at apogee and opposite vs Sun) Minimum is about 56 million kilometers
Mars and Earth were in Opposition (Earth center) in December of 2022. The date coincided with a (very rare) occultation of Mars by the Moon.
Mars and Earth were in Conjunction (Sun center) in November of 2023.
Mars and Earth appear to have been as close as they will get in Year 36. 81,454,323 kilometers on J0036644 Time: 4.53 minutes - 9 minutes round trip
In his online interview with Dr. Zubrin at the 2020 Mars Conference, Elon Musk reminded the audience that communications with Mars will necessarily include an intermediary station to handle traffic when the Sun is between Mars and Earth. Communications delays in that circumstance will increase due to the extra distance to be covered. Mr. Musk indicated he expects such communication will be handled by laser. Location would be optimum at poles of solar plane.
This web site offers an online model of the solar system: www.solarsystemscope.com It requires Chrome 57, Firefox 52 or Safari 10.1. Viewed 2022/10/13: Opposition will occur some time in December of 2022. Per earthsky.org, the date is December 8, 2022.
This web site offers an online orrery view of the Solar System: https://www.theplanetstoday.com/
===
Sol 533 is in Month 20 of a Proposed 24 month calendar. See Post 19 of Holidays topic for a summary.
Month 20 extends from Sol 530 through 557. <<== There are 28 days in Month 20. See post 82 of Holidays topic for current details.
Direct path to source: http://newmars.com/forums/viewtopic.php … 57#p154257
Sol 533 is Wednesday in the Proposed Business calendar for Mars. Sol 522 was a Skip Day on Mars. Next is near 559 of Year 38
##
The Next New Year's on Mars will occur when Solar Longitude reaches 360 degrees. Year 38 started November 12, 2024 on Earth
Per www.planetary.org Year 36 started 2021/02/07 on Earth. Mars Year 37 began 2022/12/27 on Earth.
Days of the Week Alignment:
Days of the week fall behind Earth due to the longer Sol, but they also change when Friday is omitted at the end of a Quarter
337 Earth days were observed to elapse in the 2020 weekday cycle. There were 7 week day transitions and 2 Quarter ends.
The next cycle began on the first Sol of the period of coincidence. The alignment of weekdays interval is in the range: (310 - 337)
To find the first day of a period of coincidence: Set up: SearchTerm(colon) and (colon)Alignment and J0036* or J0037*
The most recent End-Of-Quarter change occurred: … The search specified above gave 11 pages of results.
For current weather on Mars see:
***https://mars.nasa.gov/insight/weather/***
***Insight's weather info has been suspended and now is directing to msl*** <<-- Insight's mission is over (2022)
https://mars.nasa.gov/msl/weather/
Per SpaceNut: Here is another web page by NASA containing the latest news releases
https://mars.nasa.gov/news/?page=0&per_ … ope=Latest
All forum members are invited to post significant events for this day.
Events of interest will be ON Mars, or relate to Mars. Examples are launches, landings, discoveries
Standard Month in Mars Business Calendar Copyright ® 2023 NewMars.com Mars Society
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
Recruiting text may be found at the bottom of this post: http://newmars.com/forums/viewtopic.php … 57#p154257
Copyright the Mars Society All Rights Reserved
Month 20 of 24: <<== Second month of Quarter 4
Offline
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Place holder for today's Calendar update for Friday 2026/05/15
[51.4792N, 0.0000E] 05/15/2026, 13:00:01 Europe/London
Object: Mars [open sky map]
RA 01h 42m 55.1s Dec +09° 49' 34.0" Appar J2000
Mag: 1.30 (Estimated: JPL) Const: Pisces
Sun Dist: 209,284,300 km [26.2 km/s]
Earth Dist: 331,886,148 km [50.8 km/s]
Martian Year:
38
Martian Astronomical Month:
10
Solar longitude Ls:
282.2
Sol number:
534
Current ID: 239325
Total number of registered users: 19,630
Total number of topics: 9,026
Total number of posts: 235,010
Newest registered user: Scarecrow2025
Registered users online: 2
Guests online: 105
Online: tahanson43206, Void
Psyche will pass Mars today
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===
Today on Mars: 0038/20/05 Thursday Days of the week OFFSET 1 with Earth. (count from Mars to Earth )
Sol 534 Business Month 20 Second month of Quarter 4 of Year 38
Today on Earth: 2026/05/15 Friday Earth Date)
====*====*====
To see how this calendar works, we show the standard 28 day month at the bottom of this daily report.
There are 20 months of 28 Sols and 4 months of 27 Sols at the end of the four six-month quarters.
New Years Eve is extended to align the Business Calendar for Mars with the Astronomical calendar.
Business and Astronomical both start at zero (to the nanosecond) on New Year's Day.
This calendar has been in operation for two full Mars years (36 and 37). We are in Year 38
This calendar is NOT the Darian Calendar!
Per http://www-mars.lmd.jussieu.fr/mars/tim … _time.html also see: in-the-sky.org for opposition/perigee/aphelion
Martian Year: 38 Martian Astronomical Interval in 12 interval format: 10 <<== The Astronomical interval
Check Longitude: the interval will increment when longitude reaches 300 degrees
===
Solar Longitude: 282.2 Sol Number: 534 Change in degrees is +.6 Julian date is: J0038534
Solar Longitude: 281.6 Sol Number: 533 Change in degrees is +.6 Julian date is: J0038533
Solar Longitude: 281.0 Sol Number: 532 Change in degrees is +.6 Julian date is: J0038532
#>
Note that Solar Longitude measurement varies as a function of location in orbit. Ls 0 is the moment when the Sun appears to transit from one hemisphere to the other. Update from Mars.NASA.gov (The Sun crosses the equator of Mars (Vernal Equinox)). The transition itself is a function of the tilt of an object with respect to the Solar plane. Per squarewidget.com, Hipparchus created the celestial coordinate system we use today.
Note#2: https://theskylive.com/mars-tracker This web site shows the astronomical position of Mars as seen from Earth
Todo: At next Aphelion/Perihelion record the Mars date as J00##### (and set Search term)
Perihelion occurred in 2026 at Ls 251 on Sol 486 - Earth Date 2026/03/27 Next: (estimated) 2028/05/15
Perihelion occurred in 2024 at Ls 251 on Sol 485 - Earth Date 2024/05/08 Next: (estimated) 2026/03/06 (actual) 2026/03/26
Perihelion occurred in 2022 at Ls 251 on Sol 485 - Earth Date 2022/06/21 Next: (actual) 2024/05/08
Aphelion Earth Dates: Next: 2027/03/04 Earlier: 2025/04/16, 2023/05/30, 2021/07/12, 2019/08/25, 2017/10/07, 2015/11/20
Aphelion occurred at--- Ls 071 on Sol 152.
Aphelion occurred near Ls 070 on Sol 153 (per http://www.planetary.org)
Note#3: The computations below are dependent upon both the computations provided by the reference web site and by accuracy of recording of the time of observations. The calculations use tenths of hours. The Sun Distance needs to be captured at the moment the time increments to a given tenth.
Note on data below: The figure quoted after distance is a rate of progress along the orbital path [exact meaning to be determined]
Minus prefix means Mars is approaching the Sun. Plus prefix means Mars is moving away from the Sun.
The figure computed to the right of "Difference" is the rate of change of the distance to Sun. Increasing to Aphelion/Decreasing to Perihelion.
Aphelion of Mars is due March 04, 2027 Sol 151-152 Note velocity of Mars was 22.0 km/s nearing Aphelion (21.97 km/s)
Perhelion of Mars is due May, 2028 Sol 251 Note velocity of Mars was 26.5 km/s nearing Perhelion 2026/03/26
===
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 209,284,300 km [26.2 km/s] Difference is +101608 <= +4234 km/hour at 12.0 on 05/15 (time 12:00) (24.0 hours)
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 209,182,682 km [26.2 km/s] Difference is +099760 <= +4157 km/hour at 12.0 on 05/14 (time 12:00) (24.0 hours)
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 209,082,922 km [26.2 km/s] Difference is +098018 <= +4084 km/hour at 12.0 on 05/13 (time 12:00) (24.0 hours)
==*==*==*
j
Observation: The sky view is ** filled ** with objects and some have been recorded and given identification by humans or their robot assistants
And! ** All ** the location assignments are from the perspective of Earth. The entire catalog needs to be adjusted when inter-stellar travel begins
The work that lies ahead for the astronomical community is daunting - there is work ahead for centuries
2022/01/19 - All current (existing) stellar catalogs are computed with reference to the Earth. Another civilization would use it's planet as reference.
Perhaps a Milky Way frame of reference will become necessary at some point. The Earth is as good a Zero point as any, for humans.
=== Mars is in Regular movement as seen from Earth.
Mars is in Pisces
Next ahead: Three stars below path TYC 622-217-1 RA 01h 43m 36.4s
Galaxy PGC 1368830 RA 01h 40m 16.9s above path Day 2 Near right edge – last day
***
Psyche the space craft is behind Mars and approaching rapidly. A way to see the approach is via NASA's 3D viewing site.
Use https://eyes.nasa.gov/apps/solar-system/#/home
Once there, use the menu to select Mars, or just click on Mars.
Psyche can be seen in the default view if you back out from Mars far enough
Far enough varies by date …. Psyche begins to appear from the right (west) as a white line.
However, if you would like to jump to May 15th and watch the flyby in the simulation, here is the URL to do that:
URL os om post here >> http://newmars.com/forums/viewtopic.php … 99#p239099
Psyche is headed to the asteroid belt. It will pass close by Mars (between Phobos and Deimos) between May 15th and May 16h.
====*====*===
Zoom Out Capability As a general observation ... I've become increasingly interested in knowing what the larger view of the sky might be like.
The site: theskylive.com does a terrific job of matching the view from Earth towards Mars, against a background of actual astronomical plates.
I wish there were a way (or rather, I wish I ** knew ** about a way that may exist) to enlarge the view until the entire galaxy is in view (Zoom out)
Update 2022/12/08 TheSkyLive.com provides a large view of selected objects: Select [Major Bodies] Then select [Information] in the body of interest
Update 2022/12/08 Scroll down to (body) Position and Finder Charts. Field of view is 50x30 degrees.
Light travel in one second is (about) 300,000 kilometers. The distance covered in one minute is about 18,000,000 kilometers. Estimated light times:
1:18,2:36,3:54,4:72,5:90,6:108,7:126,8:144,9:162,10:180,11:198,12:216,13:234,14:252,15:270,16:288,17:306,18:324, 19:342,20:360,21:378,22:396
Light travel time today is between 18 and 19 minutes. Communications delay would be 36+ minutes round trip.
=== Time estimate will change below 324 megakm
Earth Distance in km: 2026/05/15 331,886,148 (decreasing)
Earth Distance in km: 2026/05/14 332,177,270 (decreasing)
Earth Distance in km: 2026/05/13 332,465,916 (decreasing)
<<#
Maximum Earth-Mars distance is estimated to be 401 million kilometers (both at apogee and opposite vs Sun) Minimum is about 56 million kilometers
Mars and Earth were in Opposition (Earth center) in December of 2022. The date coincided with a (very rare) occultation of Mars by the Moon.
Mars and Earth were in Conjunction (Sun center) in November of 2023.
Mars and Earth appear to have been as close as they will get in Year 36. 81,454,323 kilometers on J0036644 Time: 4.53 minutes - 9 minutes round trip
In his online interview with Dr. Zubrin at the 2020 Mars Conference, Elon Musk reminded the audience that communications with Mars will necessarily include an intermediary station to handle traffic when the Sun is between Mars and Earth. Communications delays in that circumstance will increase due to the extra distance to be covered. Mr. Musk indicated he expects such communication will be handled by laser. Location would be optimum at poles of solar plane.
This web site offers an online model of the solar system: www.solarsystemscope.com It requires Chrome 57, Firefox 52 or Safari 10.1. Viewed 2022/10/13: Opposition will occur some time in December of 2022. Per earthsky.org, the date is December 8, 2022.
This web site offers an online orrery view of the Solar System: https://www.theplanetstoday.com/
===
Sol 534 is in Month 20 of a Proposed 24 month calendar. See Post 19 of Holidays topic for a summary.
Month 20 extends from Sol 530 through 557. <<== There are 28 days in Month 20. See post 82 of Holidays topic for current details.
Direct path to source: http://newmars.com/forums/viewtopic.php … 57#p154257
Sol 534 is Thursday in the Proposed Business calendar for Mars. Sol 522 was a Skip Day on Mars. Next is near 559 of Year 38
##
The Next New Year's on Mars will occur when Solar Longitude reaches 360 degrees. Year 38 started November 12, 2024 on Earth
Per www.planetary.org Year 36 started 2021/02/07 on Earth. Mars Year 37 began 2022/12/27 on Earth.
Days of the Week Alignment:
Days of the week fall behind Earth due to the longer Sol, but they also change when Friday is omitted at the end of a Quarter
337 Earth days were observed to elapse in the 2020 weekday cycle. There were 7 week day transitions and 2 Quarter ends.
The next cycle began on the first Sol of the period of coincidence. The alignment of weekdays interval is in the range: (310 - 337)
To find the first day of a period of coincidence: Set up: SearchTerm(colon) and (colon)Alignment and J0036* or J0037*
The most recent End-Of-Quarter change occurred: … The search specified above gave 11 pages of results.
For current weather on Mars see:
***https://mars.nasa.gov/insight/weather/***
***Insight's weather info has been suspended and now is directing to msl*** <<-- Insight's mission is over (2022)
https://mars.nasa.gov/msl/weather/
Per SpaceNut: Here is another web page by NASA containing the latest news releases
https://mars.nasa.gov/news/?page=0&per_ … ope=Latest
All forum members are invited to post significant events for this day.
Events of interest will be ON Mars, or relate to Mars. Examples are launches, landings, discoveries
Standard Month in Mars Business Calendar Copyright ® 2023 NewMars.com Mars Society
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
Recruiting text may be found at the bottom of this post: http://newmars.com/forums/viewtopic.php … 57#p154257
Copyright the Mars Society All Rights Reserved
Month 20 of 24: <<== Second month of Quarter 4
Offline
Like button can go here
Place holder for today's Calendar update for Saturday 2026/05/16
[51.4792N, 0.0000E] 05/16/2026, 13:00:00 Europe/London
Object: Mars [open sky map]
RA 01h 45m 46.3s Dec +10° 06' 13.7" Appar J2000
Mag: 1.32 (Estimated: JPL) Const: Pisces
Sun Dist: 209,387,716 km [26.2 km/s]
Earth Dist: 331,592,633 km [50.7 km/s]
Martian Year:
38
Martian Astronomical Month:
10
Solar longitude Ls:
282.9
Sol number:
535
Current ID: 239341
Total number of registered users: 19,630
Total number of topics: 9,029
Total number of posts: 235,026
Newest registered user: Scarecrow2025
Registered users online: 1
Guests online: 160
Online: tahanson43206
Offline
Like button can go here
===
Today on Mars: 0038/20/06 Friday Days of the week OFFSET 1 with Earth. (count from Mars to Earth )
Sol 535 Business Month 20 Second month of Quarter 4 of Year 38
Today on Earth: 2026/05/16 Saturday Earth Date)
====*====*====
To see how this calendar works, we show the standard 28 day month at the bottom of this daily report.
There are 20 months of 28 Sols and 4 months of 27 Sols at the end of the four six-month quarters.
New Years Eve is extended to align the Business Calendar for Mars with the Astronomical calendar.
Business and Astronomical both start at zero (to the nanosecond) on New Year's Day.
This calendar has been in operation for two full Mars years (36 and 37). We are in Year 38
This calendar is NOT the Darian Calendar!
Per http://www-mars.lmd.jussieu.fr/mars/tim … _time.html also see: in-the-sky.org for opposition/perigee/aphelion
Martian Year: 38 Martian Astronomical Interval in 12 interval format: 10 <<== The Astronomical interval
Check Longitude: the interval will increment when longitude reaches 300 degrees
===
Solar Longitude: 282.9 Sol Number: 535 Change in degrees is +.7 Julian date is: J0038535
Solar Longitude: 282.2 Sol Number: 534 Change in degrees is +.6 Julian date is: J0038534
Solar Longitude: 281.6 Sol Number: 533 Change in degrees is +.6 Julian date is: J0038533
#>
Note that Solar Longitude measurement varies as a function of location in orbit. Ls 0 is the moment when the Sun appears to transit from one hemisphere to the other. Update from Mars.NASA.gov (The Sun crosses the equator of Mars (Vernal Equinox)). The transition itself is a function of the tilt of an object with respect to the Solar plane. Per squarewidget.com, Hipparchus created the celestial coordinate system we use today.
Note#2: https://theskylive.com/mars-tracker This web site shows the astronomical position of Mars as seen from Earth
Todo: At next Aphelion/Perihelion record the Mars date as J00##### (and set Search term)
Perihelion occurred in 2026 at Ls 251 on Sol 486 - Earth Date 2026/03/27 Next: (estimated) 2028/05/15
Perihelion occurred in 2024 at Ls 251 on Sol 485 - Earth Date 2024/05/08 Next: (estimated) 2026/03/06 (actual) 2026/03/26
Perihelion occurred in 2022 at Ls 251 on Sol 485 - Earth Date 2022/06/21 Next: (actual) 2024/05/08
Aphelion Earth Dates: Next: 2027/03/04 Earlier: 2025/04/16, 2023/05/30, 2021/07/12, 2019/08/25, 2017/10/07, 2015/11/20
Aphelion occurred at--- Ls 071 on Sol 152.
Aphelion occurred near Ls 070 on Sol 153 (per http://www.planetary.org)
Note#3: The computations below are dependent upon both the computations provided by the reference web site and by accuracy of recording of the time of observations. The calculations use tenths of hours. The Sun Distance needs to be captured at the moment the time increments to a given tenth.
Note on data below: The figure quoted after distance is a rate of progress along the orbital path [exact meaning to be determined]
Minus prefix means Mars is approaching the Sun. Plus prefix means Mars is moving away from the Sun.
The figure computed to the right of "Difference" is the rate of change of the distance to Sun. Increasing to Aphelion/Decreasing to Perihelion.
Aphelion of Mars is due March 04, 2027 Sol 151-152 Note velocity of Mars was 22.0 km/s nearing Aphelion (21.97 km/s)
Perhelion of Mars is due May, 2028 Sol 251 Note velocity of Mars was 26.5 km/s nearing Perhelion 2026/03/26
===
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 209,387,716 km [26.2 km/s] Difference is +103416 <= +4309 km/hour at 12.0 on 05/16 (time 12:00) (24.0 hours)
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 209,284,300 km [26.2 km/s] Difference is +101608 <= +4234 km/hour at 12.0 on 05/15 (time 12:00) (24.0 hours)
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 209,182,682 km [26.2 km/s] Difference is +099760 <= +4157 km/hour at 12.0 on 05/14 (time 12:00) (24.0 hours)
==*==*==*
j
Observation: The sky view is ** filled ** with objects and some have been recorded and given identification by humans or their robot assistants
And! ** All ** the location assignments are from the perspective of Earth. The entire catalog needs to be adjusted when inter-stellar travel begins
The work that lies ahead for the astronomical community is daunting - there is work ahead for centuries
2022/01/19 - All current (existing) stellar catalogs are computed with reference to the Earth. Another civilization would use it's planet as reference.
Perhaps a Milky Way frame of reference will become necessary at some point. The Earth is as good a Zero point as any, for humans.
=== Mars is in Regular movement as seen from Earth.
Mars is in Pisces
Next ahead: Star above path TYC 625-1372-1 RA 01h 45m 48.9s
Three stars below path TYC 622-217-1 RA 01h 43m 36.4s Day 2 – 9 hours past
====*====*===
Zoom Out Capability As a general observation ... I've become increasingly interested in knowing what the larger view of the sky might be like.
The site: theskylive.com does a terrific job of matching the view from Earth towards Mars, against a background of actual astronomical plates.
I wish there were a way (or rather, I wish I ** knew ** about a way that may exist) to enlarge the view until the entire galaxy is in view (Zoom out)
Update 2022/12/08 TheSkyLive.com provides a large view of selected objects: Select [Major Bodies] Then select [Information] in the body of interest
Update 2022/12/08 Scroll down to (body) Position and Finder Charts. Field of view is 50x30 degrees.
Light travel in one second is (about) 300,000 kilometers. The distance covered in one minute is about 18,000,000 kilometers. Estimated light times:
1:18,2:36,3:54,4:72,5:90,6:108,7:126,8:144,9:162,10:180,11:198,12:216,13:234,14:252,15:270,16:288,17:306,18:324, 19:342,20:360,21:378,22:396
Light travel time today is between 18 and 19 minutes. Communications delay would be 36+ minutes round trip.
=== Time estimate will change below 324 megakm
Earth Distance in km: 2026/05/16 331,592,633 (decreasing)
Earth Distance in km: 2026/05/15 331,886,148 (decreasing)
Earth Distance in km: 2026/05/14 332,177,270 (decreasing)
<<#
Maximum Earth-Mars distance is estimated to be 401 million kilometers (both at apogee and opposite vs Sun) Minimum is about 56 million kilometers
Mars and Earth were in Opposition (Earth center) in December of 2022. The date coincided with a (very rare) occultation of Mars by the Moon.
Mars and Earth were in Conjunction (Sun center) in November of 2023.
Mars and Earth appear to have been as close as they will get in Year 36. 81,454,323 kilometers on J0036644 Time: 4.53 minutes - 9 minutes round trip
In his online interview with Dr. Zubrin at the 2020 Mars Conference, Elon Musk reminded the audience that communications with Mars will necessarily include an intermediary station to handle traffic when the Sun is between Mars and Earth. Communications delays in that circumstance will increase due to the extra distance to be covered. Mr. Musk indicated he expects such communication will be handled by laser. Location would be optimum at poles of solar plane.
This web site offers an online model of the solar system: www.solarsystemscope.com It requires Chrome 57, Firefox 52 or Safari 10.1. Viewed 2022/10/13: Opposition will occur some time in December of 2022. Per earthsky.org, the date is December 8, 2022.
This web site offers an online orrery view of the Solar System: https://www.theplanetstoday.com/
===
Sol 535 is in Month 20 of a Proposed 24 month calendar. See Post 19 of Holidays topic for a summary.
Month 20 extends from Sol 530 through 557. <<== There are 28 days in Month 20. See post 82 of Holidays topic for current details.
Direct path to source: http://newmars.com/forums/viewtopic.php … 57#p154257
Sol 535 is Friday in the Proposed Business calendar for Mars. Sol 522 was a Skip Day on Mars. Next is near 559 of Year 38
##
The Next New Year's on Mars will occur when Solar Longitude reaches 360 degrees. Year 38 started November 12, 2024 on Earth
Per www.planetary.org Year 36 started 2021/02/07 on Earth. Mars Year 37 began 2022/12/27 on Earth.
Days of the Week Alignment:
Days of the week fall behind Earth due to the longer Sol, but they also change when Friday is omitted at the end of a Quarter
337 Earth days were observed to elapse in the 2020 weekday cycle. There were 7 week day transitions and 2 Quarter ends.
The next cycle began on the first Sol of the period of coincidence. The alignment of weekdays interval is in the range: (310 - 337)
To find the first day of a period of coincidence: Set up: SearchTerm(colon) and (colon)Alignment and J0036* or J0037*
The most recent End-Of-Quarter change occurred: … The search specified above gave 11 pages of results.
For current weather on Mars see:
***https://mars.nasa.gov/insight/weather/***
***Insight's weather info has been suspended and now is directing to msl*** <<-- Insight's mission is over (2022)
https://mars.nasa.gov/msl/weather/
Per SpaceNut: Here is another web page by NASA containing the latest news releases
https://mars.nasa.gov/news/?page=0&per_ … ope=Latest
All forum members are invited to post significant events for this day.
Events of interest will be ON Mars, or relate to Mars. Examples are launches, landings, discoveries
Standard Month in Mars Business Calendar Copyright ® 2023 NewMars.com Mars Society
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
Recruiting text may be found at the bottom of this post: http://newmars.com/forums/viewtopic.php … 57#p154257
Copyright the Mars Society All Rights Reserved
Month 20 of 24: <<== Second month of Quarter 4
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Place holder for today's Calendar update for Sunday May 17, 2026
[51.4792N, 0.0000E] 05/17/2026, 13:00:03 Europe/London
Object: Mars [open sky map]
RA 01h 48m 37.4s Dec +10° 22' 46.3" Appar J2000
Mag: 1.31 (Estimated: JPL) Const: Pisces
Sun Dist: 209,492,923 km [26.2 km/s]
Earth Dist: 331,296,677 km [50.6 km/s]
Martian Year:
38
Martian Astronomical Month:
10
Solar longitude Ls:
283.5
Sol number:
536
Current ID: 239359
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===
Today on Mars: 0038/20/07 Saturday Days of the week OFFSET 1 with Earth. (count from Mars to Earth )
Sol 536 Business Month 20 Second month of Quarter 4 of Year 38
Today on Earth: 2026/05/17 Sunday Earth Date)
====*====*====
To see how this calendar works, we show the standard 28 day month at the bottom of this daily report.
There are 20 months of 28 Sols and 4 months of 27 Sols at the end of the four six-month quarters.
New Years Eve is extended to align the Business Calendar for Mars with the Astronomical calendar.
Business and Astronomical both start at zero (to the nanosecond) on New Year's Day.
This calendar has been in operation for two full Mars years (36 and 37). We are in Year 38
This calendar is NOT the Darian Calendar!
Per http://www-mars.lmd.jussieu.fr/mars/tim … _time.html also see: in-the-sky.org for opposition/perigee/aphelion
Martian Year: 38 Martian Astronomical Interval in 12 interval format: 10 <<== The Astronomical interval
Check Longitude: the interval will increment when longitude reaches 300 degrees
===
Solar Longitude: 283.5 Sol Number: 536 Change in degrees is +.6 Julian date is: J0038536
Solar Longitude: 282.9 Sol Number: 535 Change in degrees is +.7 Julian date is: J0038535
Solar Longitude: 282.2 Sol Number: 534 Change in degrees is +.6 Julian date is: J0038534
#>
Note that Solar Longitude measurement varies as a function of location in orbit. Ls 0 is the moment when the Sun appears to transit from one hemisphere to the other. Update from Mars.NASA.gov (The Sun crosses the equator of Mars (Vernal Equinox)). The transition itself is a function of the tilt of an object with respect to the Solar plane. Per squarewidget.com, Hipparchus created the celestial coordinate system we use today.
Note#2: https://theskylive.com/mars-tracker This web site shows the astronomical position of Mars as seen from Earth
Todo: At next Aphelion/Perihelion record the Mars date as J00##### (and set Search term)
Perihelion occurred in 2026 at Ls 251 on Sol 486 - Earth Date 2026/03/27 Next: (estimated) 2028/05/15
Perihelion occurred in 2024 at Ls 251 on Sol 485 - Earth Date 2024/05/08 Next: (estimated) 2026/03/06 (actual) 2026/03/26
Perihelion occurred in 2022 at Ls 251 on Sol 485 - Earth Date 2022/06/21 Next: (actual) 2024/05/08
Aphelion Earth Dates: Next: 2027/03/04 Earlier: 2025/04/16, 2023/05/30, 2021/07/12, 2019/08/25, 2017/10/07, 2015/11/20
Aphelion occurred at--- Ls 071 on Sol 152.
Aphelion occurred near Ls 070 on Sol 153 (per http://www.planetary.org)
Note#3: The computations below are dependent upon both the computations provided by the reference web site and by accuracy of recording of the time of observations. The calculations use tenths of hours. The Sun Distance needs to be captured at the moment the time increments to a given tenth.
Note on data below: The figure quoted after distance is a rate of progress along the orbital path [exact meaning to be determined]
Minus prefix means Mars is approaching the Sun. Plus prefix means Mars is moving away from the Sun.
The figure computed to the right of "Difference" is the rate of change of the distance to Sun. Increasing to Aphelion/Decreasing to Perihelion.
Aphelion of Mars is due March 04, 2027 Sol 151-152 Note velocity of Mars was 22.0 km/s nearing Aphelion (21.97 km/s)
Perhelion of Mars is due May, 2028 Sol 251 Note velocity of Mars was 26.5 km/s nearing Perhelion 2026/03/26
===
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 209,492,923 km [26.2 km/s] Difference is +105207 <= +4384 km/hour at 12.0 on 05/17 (time 12:00) (24.0 hours)
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 209,387,716 km [26.2 km/s] Difference is +103416 <= +4309 km/hour at 12.0 on 05/16 (time 12:00) (24.0 hours)
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 209,284,300 km [26.2 km/s] Difference is +101608 <= +4234 km/hour at 12.0 on 05/15 (time 12:00) (24.0 hours)
==*==*==*
j
Observation: The sky view is ** filled ** with objects and some have been recorded and given identification by humans or their robot assistants
And! ** All ** the location assignments are from the perspective of Earth. The entire catalog needs to be adjusted when inter-stellar travel begins
The work that lies ahead for the astronomical community is daunting - there is work ahead for centuries
2022/01/19 - All current (existing) stellar catalogs are computed with reference to the Earth. Another civilization would use it's planet as reference.
Perhaps a Milky Way frame of reference will become necessary at some point. The Earth is as good a Zero point as any, for humans.
=== Mars is in Regular movement as seen from Earth.
Mars is in Pisces
Next ahead: Cluster of Galaxies above path UGC 1268 RA 01h 48m 51.3s
Star above path TYC 625-1372-1 RA 01h 45m 48.9s Day 2 at edge of view
====*====*===
Zoom Out Capability As a general observation ... I've become increasingly interested in knowing what the larger view of the sky might be like.
The site: theskylive.com does a terrific job of matching the view from Earth towards Mars, against a background of actual astronomical plates.
I wish there were a way (or rather, I wish I ** knew ** about a way that may exist) to enlarge the view until the entire galaxy is in view (Zoom out)
Update 2022/12/08 TheSkyLive.com provides a large view of selected objects: Select [Major Bodies] Then select [Information] in the body of interest
Update 2022/12/08 Scroll down to (body) Position and Finder Charts. Field of view is 50x30 degrees.
Light travel in one second is (about) 300,000 kilometers. The distance covered in one minute is about 18,000,000 kilometers. Estimated light times:
1:18,2:36,3:54,4:72,5:90,6:108,7:126,8:144,9:162,10:180,11:198,12:216,13:234,14:252,15:270,16:288,17:306,18:324, 19:342,20:360,21:378,22:396
Light travel time today is between 18 and 19 minutes. Communications delay would be 36+ minutes round trip.
=== Time estimate will change below 324 megakm
Earth Distance in km: 2026/05/17 331,296,677 (decreasing)
Earth Distance in km: 2026/05/16 331,592,633 (decreasing)
Earth Distance in km: 2026/05/15 331,886,148 (decreasing)
<<#
Maximum Earth-Mars distance is estimated to be 401 million kilometers (both at apogee and opposite vs Sun) Minimum is about 56 million kilometers
Mars and Earth were in Opposition (Earth center) in December of 2022. The date coincided with a (very rare) occultation of Mars by the Moon.
Mars and Earth were in Conjunction (Sun center) in November of 2023.
Mars and Earth appear to have been as close as they will get in Year 36. 81,454,323 kilometers on J0036644 Time: 4.53 minutes - 9 minutes round trip
In his online interview with Dr. Zubrin at the 2020 Mars Conference, Elon Musk reminded the audience that communications with Mars will necessarily include an intermediary station to handle traffic when the Sun is between Mars and Earth. Communications delays in that circumstance will increase due to the extra distance to be covered. Mr. Musk indicated he expects such communication will be handled by laser. Location would be optimum at poles of solar plane.
This web site offers an online model of the solar system: www.solarsystemscope.com It requires Chrome 57, Firefox 52 or Safari 10.1. Viewed 2022/10/13: Opposition will occur some time in December of 2022. Per earthsky.org, the date is December 8, 2022.
This web site offers an online orrery view of the Solar System: https://www.theplanetstoday.com/
===
Sol 536 is in Month 20 of a Proposed 24 month calendar. See Post 19 of Holidays topic for a summary.
Month 20 extends from Sol 530 through 557. <<== There are 28 days in Month 20. See post 82 of Holidays topic for current details.
Direct path to source: http://newmars.com/forums/viewtopic.php … 57#p154257
Sol 536 is Saturday in the Proposed Business calendar for Mars. Sol 522 was a Skip Day on Mars. Next is near 559 of Year 38
##
The Next New Year's on Mars will occur when Solar Longitude reaches 360 degrees. Year 38 started November 12, 2024 on Earth
Per www.planetary.org Year 36 started 2021/02/07 on Earth. Mars Year 37 began 2022/12/27 on Earth.
Days of the Week Alignment:
Days of the week fall behind Earth due to the longer Sol, but they also change when Friday is omitted at the end of a Quarter
337 Earth days were observed to elapse in the 2020 weekday cycle. There were 7 week day transitions and 2 Quarter ends.
The next cycle began on the first Sol of the period of coincidence. The alignment of weekdays interval is in the range: (310 - 337)
To find the first day of a period of coincidence: Set up: SearchTerm(colon) and (colon)Alignment and J0036* or J0037*
The most recent End-Of-Quarter change occurred: … The search specified above gave 11 pages of results.
For current weather on Mars see:
***https://mars.nasa.gov/insight/weather/***
***Insight's weather info has been suspended and now is directing to msl*** <<-- Insight's mission is over (2022)
https://mars.nasa.gov/msl/weather/
Per SpaceNut: Here is another web page by NASA containing the latest news releases
https://mars.nasa.gov/news/?page=0&per_ … ope=Latest
All forum members are invited to post significant events for this day.
Events of interest will be ON Mars, or relate to Mars. Examples are launches, landings, discoveries
Standard Month in Mars Business Calendar Copyright ® 2023 NewMars.com Mars Society
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
Recruiting text may be found at the bottom of this post: http://newmars.com/forums/viewtopic.php … 57#p154257
Copyright the Mars Society All Rights Reserved
Month 20 of 24: <<== Second month of Quarter 4
Offline
Like button can go here