♂ Mars today
Mars today (2026-04-29): apparent position RA 14.28°, Dec 5.13°, 2.248 AU from Earth, magnitude 1.23. Computed live via VSOP87D.
♂ Mars at 2026-04-29T08:46:47Z UTC
Apparent equatorial coordinates (geocentric)
| Right Ascension (RA): | 14.275005° (00:57:06) |
| Declination (Dec): | 5.128096° |
| Ecliptic longitude (lambda): | 15.124133° |
| Ecliptic latitude (beta): | -0.897701° |
| Mean obliquity: | 23.435868° |
Heliocentric position (Sun at center)
| Longitude L (helio): | 358.027396° |
| Latitude B (helio): | -1.452343° |
| Distance R (helio): | 1.389555084 AU |
| Distance (km): | 207,874,482 km |
Time scales
| UTC: | 2026-04-29 08:46:47 |
| JD UTC: | 2461159.865833 |
| JD TT: | 2461159.866702 |
| Delta T: | 75.075 s |
| tau (J2000 millennia): | 0.026324070 |
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.