But, having referred to the month of Virgo, I should probably explain the Martian calendar that I am using. It is actually the calendar proposed by Robert Zubrin in his book, The Case for Mars. To begin with, he follows the astronomical convention that a planet’s year begins with the vernal equinox. Beyond that, he takes the perspective of a hypothetical observer on the sun and names the Martian months after the constellation in which Mars appears to be to that observer while in the thirty degrees of arc that comprise that month. This has the end result that the months are named after the signs of the zodiac, but there is no astrological significance ascribed to them.
In any event, then, it makes perfect sense to tend to Earth holidays on an Earthly schedule. But what about true Martian events, such as significant past landings of robotic missions on the Martian surface? For that matter, surely the first manned landing on Mars will be an occasion worth commemorating. To the citizens of Mars, surely these events would be better and more naturally commemorated on the Martian calendar than on the Earthly calendar? To illustrate the point, consider the problem in reverse. Suppose a Martian came to Earth. Would he commemorate his landing by referring to the Mars date on which it occurred, and thus celebrate approximately once every two years, or would he follow the local calendar?
I doubt very much that he would celebrate an anniversary every two years.
For fun, I have used my Martian calendar program to calculate some significant dates. For these events—-Martian holidays, if you will—-the celebrations would not correspond to their Earthly counterparts. But if you’re interested in observing a Martian holiday, shouldn’t you do it on the Martian calendar? For our Earth year 2002, I have the following significant Martian holidays:
- Martian New Year’s Eve will be on Taurus 56, falling on April 2
The Martian New Year will be on Gemini 1, falling on April 3
The Anniversary of Viking 1's Arrival will be on Leo 41, falling on September 20
The Anniversary of Viking 1's Landing will be on Virgo 6, falling on October 21
The Anniversary of Viking 2's Landing will be on Virgo 49, falling on December 4
So, if you care to observe any of these Martian special occasions, you have the Earth date on which to do it. Personally, I look forward to ringing in the Martian New Year, although it’s a crying shame that it didn’t fall right on April Fool’s Day! And just in case you’re interested, a celebrant on Mars this next year could celebrate Christmas on Libra 4. Of course, it will be summer in the Martian northern hemisphere, but Christmas 2003 will fall on Taurus 5, in the wintertime, so it all balances out in the end.
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