Mars24 - Time on Mars

Mars24 is a Java program and browser applet which displays a Mars "sunclock", a graphical representation of the planet Mars showing its current sun- and nightsides, along with a numerical readout of the time in 24-hour format. Other displays include a plot showing the relative orbital positions of Mars and Earth and a diagram showing the solar angle for a given location on Mars.

Mars24 runs on many different types of computers, including Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and more, but it requires Java 1.3.1 or better be installed on the computer. The associated MER Spirit/Opportunity Clock Applet requires only Java 1.1.8 and is compatible with many older web browsers, but it does not include the sunclock or other graphic displays of Mars24.

The latest version of Mars24 is 5.2.2, released 2004-03-18.

• Download Mars24 Application (requires Java 1.3.1)
• Installation Notes
• Windows Notes
• Linux Notes
• Macintosh Notes
• View Mars24 Browser Applet (800 kB, requires Java 1.3.1)
• View MER Spirit/Opportunity Clock Applet (70 kB, requires Java 1.1.8)

Other information available here includes:

• Version History
• Acknowledgments and License
• Help
  • Technical Notes on Mars Time
  • User's Guide
  • FAQ

Also on the GISS website is a 1998 Science Brief, "Telling Time on Mars".

For the latest news about Spirit and Opportunity, see the official NASA Mars Rovers website.

Contact

If you wish to be notified when new versions of Mars24 are released or if you would like to report a bug, please contact the author at:

Robert B. Schmunk
NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies
2880 Broadway, New York, NY 10025 USA
rschmunk@giss.nasa.gov

Technical questions related to the definition of Mars Solar Time and the mathematical algorithm adopted for its calculation by Mars24 may also be directed to:

Michael Allison
NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies
2880 Broadway, New York, NY 10025 USA
mallison@giss.nasa.gov