Mars today
Mars is at its best for a few months every 26 months, around opposition, when Earth passes between Mars and the Sun. The rest of the time it is a small, modest reddish point.
| Constellation | Leo |
|---|---|
| When to look | Morning sky |
| Elongation | 86.0° west of the Sun |
| Distance from Earth | 1.3362 AU · 199.9 million km |
| Light-time | 11 min 07 s |
| Motion against the stars | Direct |
| Ecliptic longitude seen from Earth | 144.22° · tropical Leo 24.2° |
| Ecliptic latitude seen from Earth | +1.85° |
| Distance from the Sun | 1.6064 AU · 240.3 million km |
| Heliocentric longitude and latitude | 106.28° · +1.54° |
See it in place: Mars on its orbit, in the 3D heliocentric view, or above your own horizon on the all-sky disk.
Coming events for Mars
No, Mars is moving direct (eastward against the stars). Its next retrograde period runs from January 10, 2027 to April 1, 2027. Dates are in Universal Time. Every sky event of the year is in the astronomy calendar 2026 and the calendar 2027.
| Date | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Retrograde motion begins | Stationary in Leo, then moves westward against the stars. | |
| Opposition | Opposite the Sun, visible all night. 0.678 AU from Earth (101.4 million km). | |
| Retrograde motion ends | Stationary in Leo, then resumes its eastward motion. | |
| Conjunction with the Sun | Behind the Sun as seen from Earth, not observable. 2.388 AU from Earth. |
Mars month by month
Position on the first day of each of the next twelve months, at 00:00 Universal Time.
| Date | Constellation | From the Sun | When to look | Distance (AU) | Motion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 1, 2026 | Leo | 96.9° west | Late evening until dawn | 1.177 | Direct |
| January 1, 2027 | Leo | 120.4° west | Late evening until dawn | 0.914 | Direct |
| February 1, 2027 | Leo | 154.1° west | All night | 0.718 | Retrograde |
| March 1, 2027 | Leo | 166.3° east | All night | 0.687 | Retrograde |
| April 1, 2027 | Leo | 129.8° east | Evening and most of the night | 0.835 | Retrograde |
| May 1, 2027 | Leo | 105.1° east | Evening and most of the night | 1.071 | Direct |
| June 1, 2027 | Leo | 86.8° east | Evening sky | 1.332 | Direct |
| July 1, 2027 | Leo | 73.1° east | Evening sky | 1.566 | Direct |
| August 1, 2027 | Virgo | 61.3° east | Evening sky | 1.776 | Direct |
| September 1, 2027 | Virgo | 50.9° east | Evening sky | 1.946 | Direct |
| October 1, 2027 | Libra | 41.9° east | Evening sky | 2.074 | Direct |
| November 1, 2027 | Ophiuchus | 33.2° east | Evening sky | 2.173 | Direct |
How Mars moves
Mars orbits the Sun in 687 days. Earth catches up with it every 780 days on average: that synodic period is the longest of all the planets, which is why good Mars seasons are rare.
The orbit of Mars is markedly eccentric, so not all oppositions are equal. The distance at opposition ranges from about 0.37 AU (56 million km) at a perihelic opposition to 0.68 AU (101 million km) at an aphelic one.
For two to three months around opposition Mars moves retrograde, westward against the stars, tracing a loop or a zigzag. The same alignment governs the launch windows of the Mars probes.
Related definitions: opposition, conjunction, elongation, synodic period.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Mars in the sky right now?
On November 12, 2026, Mars is in the constellation Leo, 86° west of the Sun: in the morning sky before sunrise. It is 1.3362 AU from Earth (199.9 million km), and its light takes 11 min 07 s to reach us.
How far is Mars from Earth today?
Mars is 1.3362 AU from Earth on November 12, 2026, that is 199.9 million km. Light takes 11 min 07 s to cover that distance.
When is the next opposition of Mars?
On February 19, 2027. Opposite the Sun, visible all night. 0.678 AU from Earth (101.4 million km).
Is Mars in retrograde?
No, Mars is moving direct (eastward against the stars). Its next retrograde period runs from January 10, 2027 to April 1, 2027.