Mars takes approximately 687 Earth days to complete one full orbit around the Sun. This period is known as a Martian year, which is about 1.88 times longer than an Earth year
. Key details about Mars' orbit include:
- Average distance from the Sun: about 230 million kilometers (142 million miles)
- Orbital eccentricity: about 0.09, meaning Mars has a slightly elliptical orbit, more eccentric than Earth's but less than Mercury's
- Average orbital speed: approximately 24 km/s (about 54,000 mph)
- Mars' axial tilt is about 25.19°, similar to Earth's 23.5°, resulting in seasons on Mars that last nearly twice as long due to the longer orbit
This longer orbital period affects mission planning, as optimal launch windows to Mars occur roughly every 26 months when Earth and Mars align favorably
. Understanding Mars' orbital duration is crucial for scheduling space missions and studying its climate and seasons.
