Mars Facts
Everything you need to know about the Red Planet — in bite-sized form.
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A Martian Day is 24 Hours and 37 Minutes
A Martian solar day — called a sol — lasts 24 hours, 39 minutes, and 35 seconds. This is remarkably close to an Earth day, making Mars among the most practical of all planets for human biological adaptation.
Source: NASA Mars Exploration
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A Mars Year is About Two Earth Years
Mars takes 686.97 Earth days to complete one orbit. Earth and Mars align for efficient travel only once every 26 months, making launch windows precious for mission planners.
Source: NASA Mars Fact Sheet
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Mars Has Seasons Like Earth
Because Mars has an axial tilt of 25.19° (very close to Earth's 23.44°), it experiences four distinct seasons. Mars's more elliptical orbit means the southern hemisphere has shorter, more intense summers.
Source: NASA Mars Exploration