How long are the days on mars
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Understanding the Length of a Day on Mars
Martian Day Length: Sidereal and Solar Days
Mars, the fourth planet from the Sun, has a day length that is slightly longer than that of Earth. The rotational period, or sidereal day, of Mars is 24 hours and 37 minutes. This is the time it takes for Mars to complete one full rotation relative to the distant stars2 5. However, the solar day, known as a "sol," is slightly longer at 24 hours and 40 minutes. This is the time it takes for the Sun to return to the same position in the sky as seen from Mars2 5.
Implications for Human Activity and Missions
The difference in day length has significant implications for human activities and missions on Mars. For instance, during the Phoenix Mars Lander mission, personnel had to adapt to the Martian day, which presented challenges to their circadian rhythms. The mission's fatigue management program was crucial in helping the team synchronize with the Martian day, reducing sleep loss and fatigue3. This adaptation is essential for maintaining performance and safety during critical missions.
Calendar Systems for Mars
Creating a calendar system for Mars involves unique challenges due to its different day length and orbital characteristics. A proposed Martian calendar includes 24 months of 28 days each, with a common year consisting of 672 Martian days. Leap years would involve omitting a week at the end of the twelfth month to maintain accuracy1. This system aims to provide a regular arrangement of months and days, facilitating the adaptation of terrestrial month and day names to the Martian context.
Conclusion
In summary, a day on Mars, or a "sol," is approximately 24 hours and 40 minutes long. This slight difference from Earth's day length has important implications for human activities and mission planning on Mars. Understanding and adapting to this unique aspect of Martian time is crucial for the success of future explorations and potential colonization efforts.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
A calendar for Mars
A Mars calendar with skip weeks is the most accurate solution, with an error of 1 day occurring in an interval >100,000 Martian years.
Learning to live on a Mars day: fatigue countermeasures during the Phoenix Mars Lander mission.
A circadian rhythm and fatigue management program successfully adapted Phoenix Mars Lander mission personnel to the Mars day, reducing sleepiness-related errors and improving workplace performance and safety.
Non-RCT
Very Rigorous Journal