Mars begins new orbital cycle around the sun

Mars has commenced a new orbit around the sun, marking the beginning of a Martian year that lasts approximately 687 Earth days. Astronomers designated September 30 as the Martian New Year because it coincides with the northern vernal equinox, signaling the start of spring in the northern hemisphere and autumn in the southern hemisphere.

According to the European Space Agency (ESA), Mars experiences four seasons similar to Earth, though they vary in duration due to the planet's elliptical orbit. The axial tilt causes the northern hemisphere to receive more sunlight during its summer, while the southern hemisphere receives more during the northern winter.

Environmental conditions on Mars are extreme. During the second half of the Martian year, the planet approaches the sun, causing the atmosphere to warm and winds to stir up surface dust. Temperatures fluctuate significantly, ranging from 0 to 60 degrees Celsius in the summer to as low as -110 degrees Celsius in the winter.