♂ Mars today
Mars today (2026-06-16): apparent position RA 48.85°, Dec 17.59°, 2.147 AU from Earth, magnitude 1.29. Computed live via VSOP87D.
♂ Mars at 2026-06-16T12:22:54Z UTC
Apparent equatorial coordinates (geocentric)
| Right Ascension (RA): | 48.849284° (03:15:24) |
| Declination (Dec): | 17.594977° |
| Ecliptic longitude (lambda): | 51.150446° |
| Ecliptic latitude (beta): | -0.465095° |
| Mean obliquity: | 23.435851° |
Heliocentric position (Sun at center)
| Longitude L (helio): | 27.537915° |
| Latitude B (helio): | -0.699807° |
| Distance R (helio): | 1.426545082 AU |
| Distance (km): | 213,408,107 km |
Time scales
| UTC: | 2026-06-16 12:22:54 |
| JD UTC: | 2461208.015907 |
| JD TT: | 2461208.016708 |
| Delta T: | 75.075 s |
| tau (J2000 millennia): | 0.026455898 |
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.