How much light does Mars get?

Answer 1

Mars has a fairly elliptical orbit, so it depends on where it is in its orbit. At its closest approach to the Sun, Mars gets 52% of the sunlight we get on Earth. At its farthest, Mars gets only 36% of the sunlight we get on Earth.

Answer 2

Sunlight On Mars

Answer 3

Brilliance drops as the square of the distance.

On average, Mars is 1.5237 times further from the Sun than we are, so the Sun appears only 43% as bright.

The solar flux at Earth is 1370 Watts per square metre. Our planet reflects 37% of this back into space (clouds, snow, oceans...), leaving 863 being absorbed (mostly as heat).

The solar flux at Mars is 43% of ours: 590 W/m^2.
The planet only reflect 15% of it, keeping 500 W/m^2.

Mars receives 58% as much 'net' energy from the Sun as we do (i.e., after losses due to reflection).

Answer 4

Keith P is correct and he should get the ten points in my opinion. I think it is fun to visit solar eclipses, and when the sunlight intensity is dimmed down to the Martian level, during the partial phases, it is fun to imagine myself on Mars looking out across the landscape at that level of illumination. Actually, you can hardly tell the difference. It looks only slightly dimmer to the naked eye, hardly even noticable. Furthermore, there is more than enough sunlight to grow food crops out in the open on Mars, it has been determined. Fun to think about.

Answer 5

On a nice sunny day with the sun high in the sky the sun would be about 1/4 th as bright because mars is about twice as far from the sun.

(inverse squre law)

Answer 6

The sky on Mars looks very much like the earth sky. Just a little more pale blue because the atmosphere is thinner and sometimes it's very dusty.

Answer 7

since mars is before us between all the planets they must get more sunlight than us..

Answer 8

Plenty.

Answer 9

thanks for the answers!