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Rocky · 4th planet from the Sun

Mars

The Red Planet — home to Olympus Mons, the largest known volcano in the solar system, and the primary target in the search for past microbial life.

This page shows Mars's real physical facts. Live position data (today's exact distance, rise/set time, current constellation) requires real-time orbital position calculations this site doesn't yet perform — we show honest typical ranges below instead of guessing today's exact numbers.

Size & Distance

Diameter6,779 km
Vs. Earth's diameter0.53×
Distance from Sun1.52 AU (227.9M km)
Distance from Earth (range)78M – 377M km

Mass & Gravity

Mass vs. Earth0.107×
Surface gravity vs. Earth0.38×
Known moons2 (Phobos, Deimos)

Time

Length of day24 hours 37 minutes
Length of year687 days (~1.9 years)

Orbit

Orbital period687 days
Planet typeRocky

Interesting facts about Mars

  • Mars's red color comes from iron oxide (rust) covering its surface.
  • Olympus Mons stands about 22 km tall — roughly 2.5 times the height of Mount Everest.
  • A Mars day (called a 'sol') is only slightly longer than an Earth day, making Mars the most Earth-like in rotation.

FAQ

How far is Mars from the Sun?

An average of about 1.52 AU (227.9 million km).

How big is Mars?

6,779 km in diameter — about 0.53× the diameter of Earth.

How much would I weigh on Mars?

Multiply your Earth weight by 0.38Mars's surface gravity is 0.38× Earth's. Try our weight calculator for an exact number.