Two physicists from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have discovered that clocks on Mars run faster than those on Earth. Specifically, Martian clocks tick 477 microseconds faster each day. At first glance, this might seem like a tiny amount. However, when coordinating time across Earth, the Moon, and Mars, it could make a big difference.
This phenomenon relates to Einstein’s theory of general relativity. According to this theory, time is influenced by gravity; clocks in strong gravitational fields tick slower than those in weaker ones. For instance, atomic clocks on GPS satellites operate differently than clocks on Earth due to various factors, including their altitude and speed.
Recently, NIST scientists Neil Ashby and Bijunath Patla created a precise timekeeping system for Mars. They previously established a timekeeping standard for the Moon, similar to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) on Earth, which underpins global time synchronization. UTC is accurate within 100 picoseconds, which is incredibly precise.
Timekeeping on Mars is trickier. Ashby noted that while Earth and the Moon form a two-body problem, adding Mars introduces a complex four-body problem. Mars has about one-tenth the mass of Earth, leading to significantly weaker surface gravity. Measurements show that Mars’s gravity is five times weaker than Earth’s.
Mars is also about 1.5 astronomical units from the Sun, compared to 1 AU for Earth. This distance makes the gravitational pull weaker. Additionally, Mars has a more eccentric orbit, creating fluctuations in gravitational potential that affect timekeeping.
As a result, while Martian clocks average a 477 microsecond difference, this can vary by 266 microseconds throughout a Martian year. Mars takes about 687 days to complete one orbit around the Sun and has a longer day—about 40 minutes more than an Earth day.
These precise timekeeping methods are essential for future Mars missions, especially for human landings. Ashby emphasized the ongoing importance of developing navigational systems for other planets. With lunar missions on the horizon, accurate off-Earth timekeeping will be crucial for communication and navigation.
This research acts as a cornerstone for creating reliable time synchronizations in space, paving the way for future human exploration. As Patla put it, “The time is just right for the Moon and Mars.”
For further insights, this research was published in The Astronomical Journal and continues to shed light on the complexities of timekeeping beyond Earth.
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