♂ Mars today
Mars today (2026-06-12): apparent position RA 45.98°, Dec 16.79°, 2.157 AU from Earth, magnitude 1.28. Computed live via VSOP87D.
♂ Mars at 2026-06-12T14:20:42Z UTC
Apparent equatorial coordinates (geocentric)
| Right Ascension (RA): | 45.983989° (03:03:56) |
| Declination (Dec): | 16.786253° |
| Ecliptic longitude (lambda): | 48.296446° |
| Ecliptic latitude (beta): | -0.507350° |
| Mean obliquity: | 23.435852° |
Heliocentric position (Sun at center)
| Longitude L (helio): | 25.200019° |
| Latitude B (helio): | -0.769076° |
| Distance R (helio): | 1.422625872 AU |
| Distance (km): | 212,821,801 km |
Time scales
| UTC: | 2026-06-12 14:20:42 |
| JD UTC: | 2461204.097715 |
| JD TT: | 2461204.098515 |
| Delta T: | 75.075 s |
| tau (J2000 millennia): | 0.026445170 |
About Mars
The position above was computed with the VSOP87D theory (Bretagnon & Francou 1988), the standard analytical theory of IMCCE/Bureau des Longitudes. Values are apparent geocentric, with iterative light-time correction (3 passes), ecliptic-to-equator conversion via mean obliquity (Meeus Eq. 22.2), and freely available through open source.
Typical precision: 1-3 arcsec in RA/Dec for the 1900-2100 window, with controlled degradation up to ~arc-min at the 4000 BC and 3000 AD extremes. For maximum precision, use JPL Horizons. See the precision page for numerical validation.
Other planets
See methodology, sources, precision, planets hub.