Mars begins its 39th official calendar year

Mars officially began a new orbit around the Sun on 30 September 2026, marking the start of Martian Year 39, ESA Exploration reported. According to ESA Exploration, the new year started at 08:16 UTC, or 10:16 CEST, as the planet began its latest solar cycle. [1]

The standard system for counting Martian years began in 1955, ESA Exploration reported. The agency noted that Year 1 was defined to coincide with a major dust storm on the planet in 1956. [1]

Mars completes one orbit around the Sun in 687 Earth days, traveling approximately 1.43 billion kilometers, or 889 million miles. The planet rotates on its axis every 24.6 hours, a period known as a sol, and its 25 degree axial tilt creates distinct seasons across its year. [9]