<P> If Mars had an Earth - like orbit, its seasons would be similar to Earth's because its axial tilt is similar to Earth's . The comparatively large eccentricity of the Martian orbit has a significant effect . Mars is near perihelion when it is summer in the southern hemisphere and winter in the north, and near aphelion when it is winter in the southern hemisphere and summer in the north . As a result, the seasons in the southern hemisphere are more extreme and the seasons in the northern are milder than would otherwise be the case . The summer temperatures in the south can be warmer than the equivalent summer temperatures in the north by up to 30 ° C (54 ° F). </P> <P> Mars has the largest dust storms in the Solar System, reaching speeds of over 160 km / h (100 mph). These can vary from a storm over a small area, to gigantic storms that cover the entire planet . They tend to occur when Mars is closest to the Sun, and have been shown to increase the global temperature . </P> <P> Mars's average distance from the Sun is roughly 230 million kilometres (143,000,000 mi), and its orbital period is 687 (Earth) days . The solar day (or sol) on Mars is only slightly longer than an Earth day: 24 hours, 39 minutes, and 35.244 seconds . A Martian year is equal to 1.8809 Earth years, or 1 year, 320 days, and 18.2 hours . </P> <P> The axial tilt of Mars is 25.19 degrees relative to its orbital plane, which is similar to the axial tilt of Earth . As a result, Mars has seasons like Earth, though on Mars, they are nearly twice as long because its orbital period is that much longer . In the present day epoch, the orientation of the north pole of Mars is close to the star Deneb . Mars passed an aphelion in March 2010 and its perihelion in March 2011 . The next aphelion came in February 2012 and the next perihelion came in January 2013 . </P>

What is the position from the sun to mars