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[51.4792N, 0.0000E] 09/15/2026, 13:00:28 Europe/London
Object: Mars [open sky map]
RA 07h 37m 24.9s Dec +22° 19' 02.3" Appar J2000
Mag: 1.17 (Estimated: JPL) Const: Gemini
Current ID: 241551
Total number of registered users: 19,630
Total number of topics: 9,130
Total number of posts: 237,231
Newest registered user: Redfoot-2026
Registered users online: 1
Guests online: 198
Online: tahanson43206
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===
Today on Mars: 0038/24/13 Friday Days of the week OFFSET 4 with Earth. (count from Mars to Earth )
Sol 654 Business Month 24 Sixth month of Quarter 4 of Year 38
Today on Earth: 2026/09/15 Tuesday Earth Date)
>16
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: 12 <<== The Astronomical interval
Check Longitude: the interval will increment when longitude reaches 360 degrees
===
Solar Longitude: 352.1 Sol Number: 654 Change in degrees is +.5 Julian date is: J0038654
Solar Longitude: 351.6 Sol Number: 653 Change in degrees is +.5 Julian date is: J0038653
Solar Longitude: 351.1 Sol Number: 652 Change in degrees is +.5 Julian date is: J0038652
#7>
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 Perihelion 2026/03/26
Mars passed through 0 Radial Distance on outbound leg Sol 633 of Year 38 2026/08/25 Solar Longitude is 341.1 (90 degrees season)
Mars will pass through 0 Radial Distance on inbound leg Sol 219 at longitude 71 270 degrees seasonal)
Conversion between seasons and physical frameworks: L_s = theta + 251 theta = L_s - 251
===
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 230,189,330 km [23.9 km/s] Difference is +192000 <= +8000 km/hour at 12.0 on 09/15 (time 12:00) (24.0 hours)
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 229,997,330 km [23.9 km/s] Difference is +192216 <= +8009 km/hour at 12.0 on 09/14 (time 12:00) (24.0 hours)
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 229,805,114 km [23.9 km/s] Difference is +192661 <= +8028 km/hour at 12.0 on 09/13 (time 12:00) (24.0 hours)
>13
Velocity along the orbit is NOT the same thing as velocity change of the radial distance to the Sun. Both are shown in the section above.
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 Gemini – we in NewMars have an opportunity to visit some of the stars in Gemini during this period
Next ahead: mini-Boomer just above path! HIP 37121 RA 7h 37m 40.2s
Three stars across path TYC 1911-1804-1 RA 7h 35m 18.6s Day 2 Just past 10 hours marker
14>
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 14 and 15 minutes. Communications delay would be 28+ minutes round trip.
=== Time estimate will change below 270 megaKm
Earth Distance in km: 2026/09/15 264,197,602 (decreasing)
Earth Distance in km: 2026/09/14 265,112,501 (decreasing)
Earth Distance in km: 2026/09/13 266,019,868 (decreasing)
>15
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
This web site offers an online orrery view of the Solar System: https://www.theplanetstoday.com/
===
Sol 654 is in Month 24 of a Proposed 24 month calendar. See Post 19 of Holidays topic for a summary. <<< 595 is skip day on Mars
Month 24 extends from Sol 642 through 688. <<== There are 27 days in Month 23. See post 82 of Holidays topic for current details
Direct path to source: http://newmars.com/forums/viewtopic.php … 57#p154257
Sol 654 is Friday in the Proposed Business calendar for Mars. Sol 631 Skip Day on Mars. Next is near 668 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 24 of 24: Last month of Quarter 4 and Last month of Mars year 38
Offline
Like button can go here
Place holder for today's Calendar update:
[51.4792N, 0.0000E] 09/16/2026, 13:00:07 Europe/London
Object: Mars [open sky map]
RA 07h 40m 01.7s Dec +22° 13' 54.5" Appar J2000
Mag: 1.15 (Estimated: JPL) Const: Gemini
Current ID: 241565
Total number of registered users: 19,630
Total number of topics: 9,130
Total number of posts: 237,245
Newest registered user: Redfoot-2026
Registered users online: 1
Guests online: 185
Online: tahanson43206
Offline
Like button can go here
===
Today on Mars: 0038/24/14 Saturday Days of the week OFFSET 4 with Earth. (count from Mars to Earth )
Sol 655 Business Month 24 Sixth month of Quarter 4 of Year 38
Today on Earth: 2026/09/16 Wednesday Earth Date)
>16
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: 12 <<== The Astronomical interval
Check Longitude: the interval will increment when longitude reaches 360 degrees
===
Solar Longitude: 352.6 Sol Number: 655 Change in degrees is +.5 Julian date is: J0038655
Solar Longitude: 352.1 Sol Number: 654 Change in degrees is +.5 Julian date is: J0038654
Solar Longitude: 351.6 Sol Number: 653 Change in degrees is +.5 Julian date is: J0038653
#7>
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 Perihelion 2026/03/26
Mars passed through 0 Radial Distance on outbound leg Sol 633 of Year 38 2026/08/25 Solar Longitude is 341.1 (90 degrees season)
Mars will pass through 0 Radial Distance on inbound leg Sol 219 at longitude 71 270 degrees seasonal)
Conversion between seasons and physical frameworks: L_s = theta + 251 theta = L_s - 251
===
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 230,380,886 km [23.9 km/s] Difference is +191556 <= +7982 km/hour at 12.0 on 09/15 (time 12:00) (24.0 hours)
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 230,189,330 km [23.9 km/s] Difference is +192000 <= +8000 km/hour at 12.0 on 09/15 (time 12:00) (24.0 hours)
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 229,997,330 km [23.9 km/s] Difference is +192216 <= +8009 km/hour at 12.0 on 09/14 (time 12:00) (24.0 hours)
>13
Velocity along the orbit is NOT the same thing as velocity change of the radial distance to the Sun. Both are shown in the section above.
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 Gemini – we in NewMars have an opportunity to visit some of the stars in Gemini during this period
Next ahead: Trio of stars TYC 1373-953-1 RA 7h 40m 38.1s
mini-Boomer just above path! HIP 37121 RA 7h 37m 40.2s Day 2 Near 10 hours marker
14>
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 14 and 15 minutes. Communications delay would be 28+ minutes round trip.
=== Time estimate will change below 270 megaKm
Earth Distance in km: 2026/09/16 263,276,233 (decreasing)
Earth Distance in km: 2026/09/15 264,197,602 (decreasing)
Earth Distance in km: 2026/09/14 265,112,501 (decreasing)
>15
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
This web site offers an online orrery view of the Solar System: https://www.theplanetstoday.com/
===
Sol 655 is in Month 24 of a Proposed 24 month calendar. See Post 19 of Holidays topic for a summary. <<< 595 is skip day on Mars
Month 24 extends from Sol 642 through 688. <<== There are 27 days in Month 23. See post 82 of Holidays topic for current details
Direct path to source: http://newmars.com/forums/viewtopic.php … 57#p154257
Sol 655 is Saturday in the Proposed Business calendar for Mars. Sol 631 Skip Day on Mars. Next is near 668 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 24 of 24: Last month of Quarter 4 and Last month of Mars year 38
Offline
Like button can go here
Place holder for today's Calendar update
[51.4792N, 0.0000E] 09/17/2026, 13:00:00 Europe/London
Object: Mars [open sky map]
RA 07h 42m 38.1s Dec +22° 08' 38.1" Appar J2000
Mag: 1.14 (Estimated: JPL) Const: Gemini
Current ID: 241584
Total number of registered users: 19,630
Total number of topics: 9,130
Total number of posts: 237,264
Newest registered user: Redfoot-2026
Registered users online: 1
Guests online: 149
Online: tahanson43206
Offline
Like button can go here
===
Today on Mars: 0038/24/15 Sunday Days of the week OFFSET 4 with Earth. (count from Mars to Earth )
Sol 656 Business Month 24 Sixth month of Quarter 4 of Year 38
Today on Earth: 2026/09/17 Thursday Earth Date)
>16
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: 12 <<== The Astronomical interval
Check Longitude: the interval will increment when longitude reaches 360 degrees
===
Solar Longitude: 353.1 Sol Number: 656 Change in degrees is +.5 Julian date is: J0038656
Solar Longitude: 352.6 Sol Number: 655 Change in degrees is +.5 Julian date is: J0038655
Solar Longitude: 352.1 Sol Number: 654 Change in degrees is +.5 Julian date is: J0038654
#7>
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 Perihelion 2026/03/26
Mars passed through 0 Radial Distance on outbound leg Sol 633 of Year 38 2026/08/25 Solar Longitude is 341.1 (90 degrees season)
Mars will pass through 0 Radial Distance on inbound leg Sol 219 at longitude 71 270 degrees seasonal)
Conversion between seasons and physical frameworks: L_s = theta + 251 theta = L_s - 251
===
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 230,572,115 km [23.9 km/s] Difference is +191229 <= +7968 km/hour at 12.0 on 09/17 (time 12:00) (24.0 hours)
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 230,380,886 km [23.9 km/s] Difference is +191556 <= +7982 km/hour at 12.0 on 09/16 (time 12:00) (24.0 hours)
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 230,189,330 km [23.9 km/s] Difference is +192000 <= +8000 km/hour at 12.0 on 09/15 (time 12:00) (24.0 hours)
>13
Velocity along the orbit is NOT the same thing as velocity change of the radial distance to the Sun. Both are shown in the section above.
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 Gemini – we in NewMars have an opportunity to visit some of the stars in Gemini during this period
Next ahead: Galaxy above path PGC 1664669 RA 7h 44m 44.2s
Trio of stars TYC 1373-953-1 RA 7h 40m 38.1s past 11 hours marker
14>
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 14 and 15 minutes. Communications delay would be 28+ minutes round trip.
=== Time estimate will change below 252 megaKm
Earth Distance in km: 2026/09/17 262,347,809 (decreasing)
Earth Distance in km: 2026/09/16 263,276,233 (decreasing)
Earth Distance in km: 2026/09/15 264,197,602 (decreasing)
>15
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
This web site offers an online orrery view of the Solar System: https://www.theplanetstoday.com/
===
Sol 656 is in Month 24 of a Proposed 24 month calendar. See Post 19 of Holidays topic for a summary. <<< 595 is skip day on Mars
Month 24 extends from Sol 642 through 688. <<== There are 27 days in Month 23. See post 82 of Holidays topic for current details
Direct path to source: http://newmars.com/forums/viewtopic.php … 57#p154257
Sol 656 is Sunday in the Proposed Business calendar for Mars. Sol 631 Skip Day on Mars. Next is near 668 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 24 of 24: Last month of Quarter 4 and Last month of Mars year 38
Offline
Like button can go here
Place holder for today's Calendar update:
[51.4792N, 0.0000E] 09/18/2026, 13:00:16 Europe/London
Object: Mars [open sky map]
RA 07h 45m 13.5s Dec +22° 03' 14.8" Appar J2000
Mag: 1.13 (Estimated: JPL) Const: Gemini
Current ID 241602
Total number of registered users: 19,630
Total number of topics: 9,130
Total number of posts: 237,282
Newest registered user: Redfoot-2026
Registered users online: 1
Guests online: 192
Online: tahanson43206
Offline
Like button can go here
===
Today on Mars: 0038/24/16 Monday Days of the week OFFSET 4 with Earth. (count from Mars to Earth )
Sol 657 Business Month 24 Sixth month of Quarter 4 of Year 38
Today on Earth: 2026/09/18 Friday Earth Date)
>16
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: 12 <<== The Astronomical interval
Check Longitude: the interval will increment when longitude reaches 360 degrees
===
Solar Longitude: 353.6 Sol Number: 657 Change in degrees is +.5 Julian date is: J0038657
Solar Longitude: 353.1 Sol Number: 656 Change in degrees is +.5 Julian date is: J0038656
Solar Longitude: 352.6 Sol Number: 655 Change in degrees is +.5 Julian date is: J0038655
#7>
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 Perihelion 2026/03/26
Mars passed through 0 Radial Distance on outbound leg Sol 633 of Year 38 2026/08/25 Solar Longitude is 341.1 (90 degrees season)
Mars will pass through 0 Radial Distance on inbound leg Sol 219 at longitude 71 270 degrees seasonal)
Conversion between seasons and physical frameworks: L_s = theta + 251 theta = L_s - 251
===
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 230,763,019 km [23.9 km/s] Difference is +190904 <= +7954 km/hour at 12.0 on 09/18 (time 12:00) (24.0 hours)
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 230,572,115 km [23.9 km/s] Difference is +191229 <= +7968 km/hour at 12.0 on 09/17 (time 12:00) (24.0 hours)
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 230,380,886 km [23.9 km/s] Difference is +191556 <= +7982 km/hour at 12.0 on 09/16 (time 12:00) (24.0 hours)
>13
Velocity along the orbit is NOT the same thing as velocity change of the radial distance to the Sun. Both are shown in the section above.
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 Gemini – we in NewMars have an opportunity to visit some of the stars in Gemini during this period
Next ahead: Trio of galaxies in path PGC 1661678 RA 7h 46m 10.4s
Galaxy above path PGC 1664669 RA 7h 44m 44.2s Day 2 Still ahead of Mars
Trio of stars TYC 1373-953-1 RA 7h 40m 38.1s Day 2 past 11 hours marker Day 3 still visible at far right before reset
14>
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 14 and 15 minutes. Communications delay would be 28+ minutes round trip.
=== Time estimate will change below 252 megaKm
Earth Distance in km: 2026/09/18 261,763,019 (decreasing)
Earth Distance in km: 2026/09/17 262,347,809 (decreasing)
Earth Distance in km: 2026/09/16 263,276,233 (decreasing)
>15
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
This web site offers an online orrery view of the Solar System: https://www.theplanetstoday.com/
===
Sol 657 is in Month 24 of a Proposed 24 month calendar. See Post 19 of Holidays topic for a summary. <<< 595 is skip day on Mars
Month 24 extends from Sol 642 through 688. <<== There are 27 days in Month 23. See post 82 of Holidays topic for current details
Direct path to source: http://newmars.com/forums/viewtopic.php … 57#p154257
Sol 657 is Monday in the Proposed Business calendar for Mars. Sol 631 Skip Day on Mars. Next is near 668 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 24 of 24: Last month of Quarter 4 and Last month of Mars year 38
Offline
Like button can go here
Place holder for today's Calendar update
Sample time is late by .3 hours
[51.4792N, 0.0000E] 09/19/2026, 13:18:15 Europe/London
Object: Mars [open sky map]
RA 07h 47m 50.3s Dec +21° 57' 40.1" Appar J2000
Mag: 1.12 (Estimated: JPL) Const: Gemini
Current ID: 241625
Total number of registered users: 19,630
Total number of topics: 9,130
Total number of posts: 237,305
Newest registered user: Redfoot-2026
Registered users online: 1
Guests online: 83
Online: tahanson43206
Offline
Like button can go here
===
Today on Mars: 0038/24/17 Tuesday Days of the week OFFSET 4 with Earth. (count from Mars to Earth )
Sol 658 Business Month 24 Sixth month of Quarter 4 of Year 38
Today on Earth: 2026/09/19 Saturday Earth Date)
>16
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: 12 <<== The Astronomical interval
Check Longitude: the interval will increment when longitude reaches 360 degrees
===
Solar Longitude: 354.1 Sol Number: 658 Change in degrees is +.5 Julian date is: J0038658
Solar Longitude: 353.6 Sol Number: 657 Change in degrees is +.5 Julian date is: J0038657
Solar Longitude: 353.1 Sol Number: 656 Change in degrees is +.5 Julian date is: J0038656
#7>
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 Perihelion 2026/03/26
Mars passed through 0 Radial Distance on outbound leg Sol 633 of Year 38 2026/08/25 Solar Longitude is 341.1 (90 degrees season)
Mars will pass through 0 Radial Distance on inbound leg Sol 219 at longitude 71 270 degrees seasonal)
Conversion between seasons and physical frameworks: L_s = theta + 251 theta = L_s - 251
===
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 230,955,876 km [23.8 km/s] Difference is +192857 <= +8030 km/hour at 12.3 on 09/19 (time 12:18) (24.3 hours)
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 230,763,019 km [23.9 km/s] Difference is +190904 <= +7954 km/hour at 12.0 on 09/18 (time 12:00) (24.0 hours)
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 230,572,115 km [23.9 km/s] Difference is +191229 <= +7968 km/hour at 12.0 on 09/17 (time 12:00) (24.0 hours)
>13
Velocity along the orbit is NOT the same thing as velocity change of the radial distance to the Sun. Both are shown in the section above.
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 Gemini – we in NewMars have an opportunity to visit some of the stars in Gemini during this period
Next ahead: micro-Boomer below path at 11 hours marker HIP 38113 RA 7 h 48m 35.5s
Trio of galaxies in path PGC 1661678 RA 7h 46m 10.4s Day 2 just past 11 hours marker
Galaxy above path PGC 1664669 RA 7h 44m 44.2s Day 2 Still ahead of Mars Day3 still visible before reset
14>
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 14 and 15 minutes. Communications delay would be 28+ minutes round trip.
=== Time estimate will change below 252 megaKm
Earth Distance in km: 2026/09/19 260,458,241 (decreasing)
Earth Distance in km: 2026/09/18 261,763,019 (decreasing)
Earth Distance in km: 2026/09/17 262,347,809 (decreasing)
>15
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
This web site offers an online orrery view of the Solar System: https://www.theplanetstoday.com/
===
Sol 658 is in Month 24 of a Proposed 24 month calendar. See Post 19 of Holidays topic for a summary. <<< 595 is skip day on Mars
Month 24 extends from Sol 642 through 688. <<== There are 27 days in Month 23. See post 82 of Holidays topic for current details
Direct path to source: http://newmars.com/forums/viewtopic.php … 57#p154257
Sol 658 is Tuesday in the Proposed Business calendar for Mars. Sol 631 Skip Day on Mars. Next is near 668 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 24 of 24: Last month of Quarter 4 and Last month of Mars year 38
Offline
Like button can go here
place holder for today's Calendar update:
[51.4792N, 0.0000E] 09/20/2026, 13:00:01 Europe/London << back on time for snapshot
Object: Mars [open sky map]
RA 07h 50m 22.7s Dec +21° 52' 05.7" Appar J2000
Mag: 1.12 (Estimated: JPL) Const: Gemini
Total number of registered users: 19,630
Total number of topics: 9,130
Total number of posts: 237,322
Newest registered user: Redfoot-2026
Registered users online: 1
Guests online: 101
Online: tahanson43206
Current ID: 241642
Total number of registered users: 19,630
Total number of topics: 9,130
Total number of posts: 237,322
Newest registered user: Redfoot-2026
Registered users online: 1
Guests online: 101
Online: tahanson43206
Offline
Like button can go here
===
Today on Mars: 0038/24/18 Wednesday Days of the week OFFSET 4 with Earth. (count from Mars to Earth )
Sol 659 Business Month 24 Sixth month of Quarter 4 of Year 38
Today on Earth: 2026/09/20 Sunday Earth Date)
>16
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: 12 <<== The Astronomical interval
Check Longitude: the interval will increment when longitude reaches 360 degrees
===
Solar Longitude: 354.6 Sol Number: 659 Change in degrees is +.5 Julian date is: J0038659
Solar Longitude: 354.1 Sol Number: 658 Change in degrees is +.5 Julian date is: J0038658
Solar Longitude: 353.6 Sol Number: 657 Change in degrees is +.5 Julian date is: J0038657
#7>
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 Perihelion 2026/03/26
Mars passed through 0 Radial Distance on outbound leg Sol 633 of Year 38 2026/08/25 Solar Longitude is 341.1 (90 degrees season)
Mars will pass through 0 Radial Distance on inbound leg Sol 219 at longitude 71 270 degrees seasonal)
Conversion between seasons and physical frameworks: L_s = theta + 251 theta = L_s - 251
===
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 231,143,544 km [23.8 km/s] Difference is +187668 <= +7820 km/hour at 12.0 on 09/20 (time 12:18) (23.7 hours)
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 230,955,876 km [23.8 km/s] Difference is +192857 <= +8030 km/hour at 12.3 on 09/19 (time 12:18) (24.3 hours)
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 230,763,019 km [23.9 km/s] Difference is +190904 <= +7954 km/hour at 12.0 on 09/18 (time 12:00) (24.0 hours)
>13
Velocity along the orbit is NOT the same thing as velocity change of the radial distance to the Sun. Both are shown in the section above.
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 Gemini – we in NewMars have an opportunity to visit some of the stars in Gemini during this period
Next ahead: Star far below path TYC 1374-1871-1 7h 51m 28.9s
micro-Boomer below path at 11 hours marker HIP 38113 RA 7 h 48m 35.5s Day 2 just past Mars
14>
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 14 and 15 minutes. Communications delay would be 28+ minutes round trip.
=== Time estimate will change below 252 megaKm
Earth Distance in km: 2026/09/20 259,521,180 (decreasing)
Earth Distance in km: 2026/09/19 260,458,241 (decreasing)
Earth Distance in km: 2026/09/18 261,763,019 (decreasing)
>15
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
This web site offers an online orrery view of the Solar System: https://www.theplanetstoday.com/
===
Sol 659 is in Month 24 of a Proposed 24 month calendar. See Post 19 of Holidays topic for a summary. <<< 595 is skip day on Mars
Month 24 extends from Sol 642 through 688. <<== There are 27 days in Month 23. See post 82 of Holidays topic for current details
Direct path to source: http://newmars.com/forums/viewtopic.php … 57#p154257
Sol 659 is Wednesday in the Proposed Business calendar for Mars. Sol 631 Skip Day on Mars. Next is near 668 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 24 of 24: Last month of Quarter 4 and Last month of Mars year 38
Offline
Like button can go here
Place holder for today's Calendar update:
[51.4792N, 0.0000E] 09/21/2026, 13:00:58 Europe/London
Object: Mars [open sky map]
RA 07h 52m 56.2s Dec +21° 46' 20.4" Appar J2000
Mag: 1.11 (Estimated: JPL) Const: Gemini
Current ID: 241660
otal number of registered users: 19,630
Total number of topics: 9,130
Total number of posts: 237,340
Newest registered user: Redfoot-2026
Registered users online: 2
Guests online: 120
Online: tahanson43206, Terraformer
Offline
Like button can go here
===
Today on Mars: 0038/24/19 Thursday Days of the week OFFSET 4 with Earth. (count from Mars to Earth )
Sol 660 Business Month 24 Sixth month of Quarter 4 of Year 38
Today on Earth: 2026/09/21 Monday Earth Date)
>16
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: 12 <<== The Astronomical interval
Check Longitude: the interval will increment when longitude reaches 360 degrees
===
Solar Longitude: 355.1 Sol Number: 660 Change in degrees is +.5 Julian date is: J0038660
Solar Longitude: 354.6 Sol Number: 659 Change in degrees is +.5 Julian date is: J0038659
Solar Longitude: 354.1 Sol Number: 658 Change in degrees is +.5 Julian date is: J0038658
#7>
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 Perihelion 2026/03/26
Mars passed through 0 Radial Distance on outbound leg Sol 633 of Year 38 2026/08/25 Solar Longitude is 341.1 (90 degrees season)
Mars will pass through 0 Radial Distance on inbound leg Sol 219 at longitude 71 270 degrees seasonal)
Conversion between seasons and physical frameworks: L_s = theta + 251 theta = L_s - 251
===
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 231,333,331 km [23.8 km/s] Difference is +189787 <= +7908 km/hour at 12.0 on 09/21 (time 12:00) (24.0 hours)
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 231,143,544 km [23.8 km/s] Difference is +187668 <= +7820 km/hour at 12.0 on 09/20 (time 12:00) (23.7 hours)
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 230,955,876 km [23.8 km/s] Difference is +192857 <= +8030 km/hour at 12.3 on 09/19 (time 12:18) (24.3 hours)
>13
Velocity along the orbit is NOT the same thing as velocity change of the radial distance to the Sun. Both are shown in the section above.
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 Gemini – we in NewMars have an opportunity to visit some of the stars in Gemini during this period
Next ahead: Star above path … TYC 1375-369-1 RA 7h 53m 54.2s
Star far below path TYC 1374-1871-1 7h 51m 28.9s Day 2 Just past Mars
14>
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 14 and 15 minutes. Communications delay would be 28+ minutes round trip.
=== Time estimate will change below 252 megaKm
Earth Distance in km: 2026/09/21 258,564,704 (decreasing)
Earth Distance in km: 2026/09/20 259,521,180 (decreasing)
Earth Distance in km: 2026/09/19 260,458,241 (decreasing)
>15
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
This web site offers an online orrery view of the Solar System: https://www.theplanetstoday.com/
===
Sol 660 is in Month 24 of a Proposed 24 month calendar. See Post 19 of Holidays topic for a summary. <<< 595 is skip day on Mars
Month 24 extends from Sol 642 through 688. <<== There are 27 days in Month 23. See post 82 of Holidays topic for current details
Direct path to source: http://newmars.com/forums/viewtopic.php … 57#p154257
Sol 660 is Thurday in the Proposed Business calendar for Mars. Sol 631 Skip Day on Mars. Next is near 668 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 24 of 24: Last month of Quarter 4 and Last month of Mars year 38
Offline
Like button can go here
Place holder for today's Calendar update
[51.4792N, 0.0000E] 09/22/2026, 13:01:05 Europe/London
Object: Mars [open sky map]
RA 07h 55m 29.1s Dec +21° 40' 27.8" Appar J2000
Mag: 1.11 (Estimated: JPL) Const: Gemini
Current ID: 241678Total number of registered users: 19,630
Total number of topics: 9,130
Total number of posts: 237,358
Newest registered user: Redfoot-2026
Registered users online: 1
Guests online: 93
Online: tahanson43206
Offline
Like button can go here
===
Today on Mars: 0038/24/20 Friday Days of the week OFFSET 4 with Earth. (count from Mars to Earth )
Sol 661 Business Month 24 Sixth month of Quarter 4 of Year 38
Today on Earth: 2026/09/22 Tuesday Earth Date)
>16
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: 12 <<== The Astronomical interval
Check Longitude: the interval will increment when longitude reaches 360 degrees
===
Solar Longitude: 355.7 Sol Number: 661 Change in degrees is +.6 Julian date is: J0038661
Solar Longitude: 355.1 Sol Number: 660 Change in degrees is +.5 Julian date is: J0038660
Solar Longitude: 354.6 Sol Number: 659 Change in degrees is +.5 Julian date is: J0038659
#7>
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 Perihelion 2026/03/26
Mars passed through 0 Radial Distance on outbound leg Sol 633 of Year 38 2026/08/25 Solar Longitude is 341.1 (90 degrees season)
Mars will pass through 0 Radial Distance on inbound leg Sol 219 at longitude 71 270 degrees seasonal)
Conversion between seasons and physical frameworks: L_s = theta + 251 theta = L_s - 251
===
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 231,522,575 km [23.8 km/s] Difference is +189244 <= +7885 km/hour at 12.0 on 09/22 (time 12:00) (24.0 hours)
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 231,333,331 km [23.8 km/s] Difference is +189787 <= +7908 km/hour at 12.0 on 09/21 (time 12:00) (24.0 hours)
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 231,143,544 km [23.8 km/s] Difference is +187668 <= +7820 km/hour at 12.0 on 09/20 (time 12:00) (23.7 hours)
>13
Velocity along the orbit is NOT the same thing as velocity change of the radial distance to the Sun. Both are shown in the section above.
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 Gemini – we in NewMars have an opportunity to visit some of the stars in Gemini during this period
Next ahead: micro-Boomer HIP 38678 RA 7h 55m 8.6s
Star above path … TYC 1375-369-1 RA 7h 53m 54.2s Day 2 Just past Mars
Star far below path TYC 1374-1871-1 7h 51m 28.9s Day 2 Just past Mars Day 3 still visible on edge after reset
14>
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 14 and 15 minutes. Communications delay would be 28+ minutes round trip.
=== Time estimate will change below 252 megaKm
Earth Distance in km: 2026/09/22 257,602,007 (decreasing)
Earth Distance in km: 2026/09/21 258,564,704 (decreasing)
Earth Distance in km: 2026/09/20 259,521,180 (decreasing)
>15
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
This web site offers an online orrery view of the Solar System: https://www.theplanetstoday.com/
===
Sol 661 is in Month 24 of a Proposed 24 month calendar. See Post 19 of Holidays topic for a summary. <<< 595 is skip day on Mars
Month 24 extends from Sol 642 through 688. <<== There are 27 days in Month 23. See post 82 of Holidays topic for current details
Direct path to source: http://newmars.com/forums/viewtopic.php … 57#p154257
Sol 661 is Friday in the Proposed Business calendar for Mars. Sol 631 Skip Day on Mars. Next is near 668 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 24 of 24: Last month of Quarter 4 and Last month of Mars year 38
Offline
Like button can go here
Place holder for today's Calendar update.
We are in the last week of Year 38 on Mars.
[51.4792N, 0.0000E] 09/23/2026, 13:00:01 Europe/London
Object: Mars [open sky map]
RA 07h 58m 01.3s Dec +21° 34' 29.0" Appar J2000
Mag: 1.09 (Estimated: JPL) Const: Gemini
Current ID: 241694
Total number of registered users: 19,630
Total number of topics: 9,130
Total number of posts: 237,374
Newest registered user: Redfoot-2026
Registered users online: 1
Guests online: 148
Online: tahanson43206
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===
Today on Mars: 0038/24/21 Saturday Days of the week OFFSET 4 with Earth. (count from Mars to Earth )
Sol 662 Business Month 24 Sixth month of Quarter 4 of Year 38
Today on Earth: 2026/09/23 Wednesday Earth Date)
>16
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: 12 <<== The Astronomical interval
Check Longitude: the interval will increment when longitude reaches 360 degrees
===
Solar Longitude: 356.2 Sol Number: 662 Change in degrees is +.5 Julian date is: J0038662
Solar Longitude: 355.7 Sol Number: 661 Change in degrees is +.6 Julian date is: J0038661
Solar Longitude: 355.1 Sol Number: 660 Change in degrees is +.5 Julian date is: J0038660
#7>
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 Perihelion 2026/03/26
Mars passed through 0 Radial Distance on outbound leg Sol 633 of Year 38 2026/08/25 Solar Longitude is 341.1 (90 degrees season)
Mars will pass through 0 Radial Distance on inbound leg Sol 219 at longitude 71 270 degrees seasonal)
Conversion between seasons and physical frameworks: L_s = theta + 251 theta = L_s - 251
===
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 231,711,219 km [23.7 km/s] Difference is +188644 <= +7860 km/hour at 12.0 on 09/23 (time 12:00) (24.0 hours)
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 231,522,575 km [23.8 km/s] Difference is +189244 <= +7885 km/hour at 12.0 on 09/22 (time 12:00) (24.0 hours)
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 231,333,331 km [23.8 km/s] Difference is +189787 <= +7908 km/hour at 12.0 on 09/21 (time 12:00) (24.0 hours)
>13
Velocity along the orbit is NOT the same thing as velocity change of the radial distance to the Sun. Both are shown in the section above.
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 Gemini – we in NewMars have an opportunity to visit some of the stars in Gemini during this period
Next ahead: Stars above and below across path TYC 1375-953-1 RA 7h 57m 54.5s
micro-Boomer HIP 38678 RA 7h 55m 8.6s Day 2 past 11 hours markers
14>
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 14 and 15 minutes. Communications delay would be 28+ minutes round trip.
=== Time estimate will change below 252 megaKm
Earth Distance in km: 2026/09/23 256,633,336 (decreasing)
Earth Distance in km: 2026/09/22 257,602,007 (decreasing)
Earth Distance in km: 2026/09/21 258,564,704 (decreasing)
>15
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
This web site offers an online orrery view of the Solar System: https://www.theplanetstoday.com/
===
Sol 662 is in Month 24 of a Proposed 24 month calendar. See Post 19 of Holidays topic for a summary. <<< 595 is skip day on Mars
Month 24 extends from Sol 642 through 688. <<== There are 27 days in Month 23. See post 82 of Holidays topic for current details
Direct path to source: http://newmars.com/forums/viewtopic.php … 57#p154257
Sol 662 is Saturday in the Proposed Business calendar for Mars. Sol 631 Skip Day on Mars. Next is near 668 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 24 of 24: Last month of Quarter 4 and Last month of Mars year 38
Offline
Like button can go here
Place holder for today's Calendar update:
We are in the last week of Year 38 on Mars. Very few humans on Earth will be aware of this occasion.
A few folks at NASA/JPL may mark the Sol.
Perhaps someone in China may notice.
It is reported that Elon Musk may have shifted his vision from Mars to the Moon.
Even the City of Mars, Pennsylvania has shifted it's celebration of the New Year on Mars to the middle of the Earth summer.
[51.4792N, 0.0000E] 09/24/2026, 13:00:00 Europe/London
Object: Mars [open sky map]
RA 08h 00m 32.7s Dec +21° 28' 23.3" Appar J2000
Mag: 1.08 (Estimated: JPL) Const: Gemini
Current ID: 241708
Total number of registered users: 19,630
Total number of topics: 9,130
Total number of posts: 237,388
Newest registered user: Redfoot-2026
Registered users online: 1
Guests online: 146
Online: tahanson43206
Offline
Like button can go here
===
Today on Mars: 0038/24/22 Sunday Days of the week OFFSET 4 with Earth. (count from Mars to Earth )
Sol 663 Business Month 24 Sixth month of Quarter 4 of Year 38
Today on Earth: 2026/09/24 Thursday Earth Date)
>16
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: 12 <<== The Astronomical interval
Check Longitude: the interval will increment when longitude reaches 360 degrees
===
Solar Longitude: 356.7 Sol Number: 663 Change in degrees is +.5 Julian date is: J0038663
Solar Longitude: 356.2 Sol Number: 662 Change in degrees is +.5 Julian date is: J0038662
Solar Longitude: 355.7 Sol Number: 661 Change in degrees is +.6 Julian date is: J0038661
#7>
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 Perihelion 2026/03/26
Mars passed through 0 Radial Distance on outbound leg Sol 633 of Year 38 2026/08/25 Solar Longitude is 341.1 (90 degrees season)
Mars will pass through 0 Radial Distance on inbound leg Sol 219 at longitude 71 270 degrees seasonal)
Conversion between seasons and physical frameworks: L_s = theta + 251 theta = L_s - 251
===
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 231,899,544 km [23.7 km/s] Difference is +188325 <= +7847 km/hour at 12.0 on 09/24 (time 12:00) (24.0 hours)
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 231,711,219 km [23.7 km/s] Difference is +188644 <= +7860 km/hour at 12.0 on 09/23 (time 12:00) (24.0 hours)
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 231,522,575 km [23.8 km/s] Difference is +189244 <= +7885 km/hour at 12.0 on 09/22 (time 12:00) (24.0 hours)
>13
Velocity along the orbit is NOT the same thing as velocity change of the radial distance to the Sun. Both are shown in the section above.
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 Gemini – we in NewMars have an opportunity to visit some of the stars in Gemini during this period
Next ahead: Trio of stars across path top TYC 1388-1002-1 RA 8h 00m 41.2s
Stars above and below across path TYC 1375-953-1 RA 7h 57m 54.5s Day 2 past 11 hours
14>
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 14 and 15 minutes. Communications delay would be 28+ minutes round trip.
=== Time estimate will change below 252 megaKm
Earth Distance in km: 2026/09/24 255,657,180 (decreasing)
Earth Distance in km: 2026/09/23 256,633,336 (decreasing)
Earth Distance in km: 2026/09/22 257,602,007 (decreasing)
>15
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
This web site offers an online orrery view of the Solar System: https://www.theplanetstoday.com/
===
Sol 663 is in Month 24 of a Proposed 24 month calendar. See Post 19 of Holidays topic for a summary. <<< 595 is skip day on Mars
Month 24 extends from Sol 642 through 688. <<== There are 27 days in Month 23. See post 82 of Holidays topic for current details
Direct path to source: http://newmars.com/forums/viewtopic.php … 57#p154257
Sol 663 is Sunday in the Proposed Business calendar for Mars. Sol 631 Skip Day on Mars. Next is near 668 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 24 of 24: Last month of Quarter 4 and Last month of Mars year 38
Offline
Like button can go here
Place holder for today's Calendar update:
[51.4792N, 0.0000E] 09/25/2026, 13:00:02 Europe/London
Object: Mars [open sky map]
RA 08h 03m 03.6s Dec +21° 22' 10.4" Appar J2000
Mag: 1.07 (Estimated: JPL) Const: Gemini
Current ID: 241728
Total number of registered users: 19,630
Total number of topics: 9,130
Total number of posts: 237,408
Newest registered user: Redfoot-2026
Registered users online: 1
Guests online: 186
Online: tahanson43206
Offline
Like button can go here
===
Today on Mars: 0038/24/23 Monday Days of the week OFFSET 4 with Earth. (count from Mars to Earth )
Sol 664 Business Month 24 Sixth month of Quarter 4 of Year 38
Today on Earth: 2026/09/25 Friday Earth Date)
>16
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: 12 <<== The Astronomical interval
Check Longitude: the interval will increment when longitude reaches 360 degrees
===
Solar Longitude: 357.2 Sol Number: 664 Change in degrees is +.5 Julian date is: J0038664
Solar Longitude: 356.7 Sol Number: 663 Change in degrees is +.5 Julian date is: J0038663
Solar Longitude: 356.2 Sol Number: 662 Change in degrees is +.5 Julian date is: J0038662
#7>
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 Perihelion 2026/03/26
Mars passed through 0 Radial Distance on outbound leg Sol 633 of Year 38 2026/08/25 Solar Longitude is 341.1 (90 degrees season)
Mars will pass through 0 Radial Distance on inbound leg Sol 219 at longitude 71 270 degrees seasonal)
Conversion between seasons and physical frameworks: L_s = theta + 251 theta = L_s - 251
===
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 232,087,401 km [23.7 km/s] Difference is +187857 <= +7827 km/hour at 12.0 on 09/25 (time 12:00) (24.0 hours)
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 231,899,544 km [23.7 km/s] Difference is +188325 <= +7847 km/hour at 12.0 on 09/24 (time 12:00) (24.0 hours)
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 231,711,219 km [23.7 km/s] Difference is +188644 <= +7860 km/hour at 12.0 on 09/23 (time 12:00) (24.0 hours)
>13
Velocity along the orbit is NOT the same thing as velocity change of the radial distance to the Sun. Both are shown in the section above.
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 Gemini – we in NewMars have an opportunity to visit some of the stars in Gemini during this period
Next ahead: micro-Boomer below path HIP 39422 RA 8h 3m 30.2s
Trio of stars across path top TYC 1388-1002-1 RA 8h 00m 41.2s Day 2 Past 11 hours marker
14>
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 14 and 15 minutes. Communications delay would be 28+ minutes round trip.
=== Time estimate will change below 252 megaKm
Earth Distance in km: 2026/09/25 254,674,222 (decreasing)
Earth Distance in km: 2026/09/24 255,657,180 (decreasing)
Earth Distance in km: 2026/09/23 256,633,336 (decreasing)
>15
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
This web site offers an online orrery view of the Solar System: https://www.theplanetstoday.com/
===
Sol 664 is in Month 24 of a Proposed 24 month calendar. See Post 19 of Holidays topic for a summary. <<< 595 is skip day on Mars
Month 24 extends from Sol 642 through 688. <<== There are 27 days in Month 23. See post 82 of Holidays topic for current details
Direct path to source: http://newmars.com/forums/viewtopic.php … 57#p154257
Sol 664 is Monday in the Proposed Business calendar for Mars. Sol 631 Skip Day on Mars. Next is near 668 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 24 of 24: Last month of Quarter 4 and Last month of Mars year 38
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Place holder for today's Calendar update:
[51.4792N, 0.0000E] 09/26/2026, 13:00:47 Europe/London
Object: Mars [open sky map]
RA 08h 05m 34.0s Dec +21° 15' 52.0" Appar J2000
Mag: 1.07 (Estimated: JPL) Const: Cancer
Current ID: 241739
Total number of registered users: 19,630
Total number of topics: 9,131
Total number of posts: 237,419
Newest registered user: Redfoot-2026
Registered users online: 2
Guests online: 141
Online: tahanson43206, Void
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===
Today on Mars: 0038/24/24 Tuesday Days of the week OFFSET 4 with Earth. (count from Mars to Earth )
Sol 665 Business Month 24 Sixth month of Quarter 4 of Year 38
Today on Earth: 2026/09/26 Saturday Earth Date)
>16
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: 12 <<== The Astronomical interval
Check Longitude: the interval will increment when longitude reaches 360 degrees
===
Solar Longitude: 357.7 Sol Number: 665 Change in degrees is +.5 Julian date is: J0038665
Solar Longitude: 357.2 Sol Number: 664 Change in degrees is +.5 Julian date is: J0038664
Solar Longitude: 356.7 Sol Number: 663 Change in degrees is +.5 Julian date is: J0038663
#7>
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 Perihelion 2026/03/26
Mars passed through 0 Radial Distance on outbound leg Sol 633 of Year 38 2026/08/25 Solar Longitude is 341.1 (90 degrees season)
Mars will pass through 0 Radial Distance on inbound leg Sol 219 at longitude 71 270 degrees seasonal)
Conversion between seasons and physical frameworks: L_s = theta + 251 theta = L_s - 251
===
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 232,274,864 km [23.7 km/s] Difference is +187463 <= +7811 km/hour at 12.0 on 09/26 (time 12:00) (24.0 hours)
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 232,087,401 km [23.7 km/s] Difference is +187857 <= +7827 km/hour at 12.0 on 09/25 (time 12:00) (24.0 hours)
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 231,899,544 km [23.7 km/s] Difference is +188325 <= +7847 km/hour at 12.0 on 09/24 (time 12:00) (24.0 hours)
>13
Velocity along the orbit is NOT the same thing as velocity change of the radial distance to the Sun. Both are shown in the section above.
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 Gemini – we in NewMars have an opportunity to visit some of the stars in Gemini during this period
Next ahead: Galaxy under path PGC 1645648 RA 8h 5m 52.6s
micro-Boomer below path HIP 39422 RA 8h 3m 30.2s Day 2 Under 5.5 hours marker
14>
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 14 and 15 minutes. Communications delay would be 28+ minutes round trip.
=== Time estimate will change below 252 megaKm
Earth Distance in km: 2026/09/26 253,683,986 (decreasing)
Earth Distance in km: 2026/09/25 254,674,222 (decreasing)
Earth Distance in km: 2026/09/24 255,657,180 (decreasing)
>15
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
This web site offers an online orrery view of the Solar System: https://www.theplanetstoday.com/
===
Sol 665 is in Month 24 of a Proposed 24 month calendar. See Post 19 of Holidays topic for a summary. <<< 595 is skip day on Mars
Month 24 extends from Sol 642 through 688. <<== There are 27 days in Month 23. See post 82 of Holidays topic for current details
Direct path to source: http://newmars.com/forums/viewtopic.php … 57#p154257
Sol 665 is Tuesday in the Proposed Business calendar for Mars. Sol 631 Skip Day on Mars. Next is near 668 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 24 of 24: Last month of Quarter 4 and Last month of Mars year 38
Offline
Like button can go here
Place holder for today's Calendar update:
[51.4792N, 0.0000E] 09/27/2026, 13:00:00 Europe/London
Object: Mars [open sky map]
RA 08h 08m 03.3s Dec +21° 09' 26.8" Appar J2000
Mag: 1.08 (Estimated: JPL) Const: Cancer
Current ID: 241750
Total number of registered users: 19,630
Total number of topics: 9,131
Total number of posts: 237,430
Newest registered user: Redfoot-2026
Registered users online: 1
Guests online: 204
Online: tahanson43206
Offline
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