{
  "id": 10908893,
  "title": "Mars calendar year begins September 30: Happy New Year, Mars!",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/mars-calendar-year-begins-september-30-happy-new-year-mars",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-30T09:40:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "EarthSky",
    "slug": "earthsky",
    "url": "https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/mars-calendar-years-began-in-earth-year-1955/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Mars calendar year 39 commences on September 30, 2026, marking a new beginning for the red planet's timekeeping system. Earth and Mars share a common origin, both formed from the same primordial nebula around 4.5 billion years ago. While Earth uses the Gregorian calendar, Mars maintains a relatively newer system, with Year 1 starting on April 11, 1955, during the northern spring equinox. The first Mars Year lasted approximately 687 Earth days and experienced a significant dust storm in 1956, known as the Great Dust Storm of that year. Todd Clancy, a scientist from the Space Science Institute, devised the Mars year labeling system in 2000 to aid in data comparison and study Martian climate. This system includes a Mars Year 0 (May 24, 1953) and allows for negative year numbers, similar to the use of A.D. or B.C. in the Gregorian calendar. Mars' year is roughly 2 Earth-years long, and the most recent Mars year, Year 38, began on November 12, 2024. A Martian day, known as a \"sol,\" is slightly longer than an Earth day, lasting 24 hours and 39 minutes. Mars experiences four seasons, but their lengths vary due to the planet's elliptical orbit, with the northern hemisphere experiencing the longest spring season (194 sols) and the shortest autumn season (142 sols). The second half of Mars' year often experiences intense dust storms, which can sometimes become global. Despite the cold average temperature of minus 60 degrees Celsius (-76 degrees Fahrenheit) and various weather phenomena, the Martian New Year brings a fresh start for the planet and its inhabitants.",
  "summary": "Mars calendar year 39 begins on September 30, 2026. If you’re looking for a reason to celebrate, here’s to a Happy New Year ... on Mars. The post Mars calendar year begins September 30: Happy New Year, Mars! first appeared on EarthSky .",
  "key_points": [
    "Mars calendar year 39 begins on September 30, 2026",
    "Earth and Mars share common origin from primordial nebula",
    "Mars Year 1 started on April 11, 1955 during northern spring equinox"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}