Mars Is Spinning Faster: What Does It Mean

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10 Aug 2023
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🌎 Earth is not the only planet that spins on its axis. Mars, our neighboring world, also rotates around an imaginary line that passes through its poles. But unlike Earth, which has a fairly stable spin rate, Mars is speeding up its rotation every year. Scientists have recently discovered this phenomenon using data from NASA’s InSight lander, which operated on Mars for four years before running out of power in December 2022.



How Did They Measure Mars’ Spin?

📡 To track the planet’s spin rate, the scientists used one of InSight’s instruments: a radio transponder and antennas collectively called the Rotation and Interior Structure Experiment, or RISE. They relied on a technique called Doppler tracking, which measures how the frequency of a radio signal changes as the source moves relative to the observer. In this case, the source was InSight and the observer was NASA’s Deep Space Network, a network of antennas on Earth that communicate with interplanetary missions.

📈 By analyzing the Doppler shift of the radio signals sent and received by RISE, the scientists were able to calculate how fast Mars was rotating and how much it wobbled due to the “sloshing” of its molten metal core. They found that the planet’s rotation is accelerating by about 4 milliarcseconds per year – corresponding to a shortening of the length of the Martian day by a fraction of a millisecond per year. This is the most precise measurement of Mars’ rotation ever made, and it reveals new details about the planet’s interior and evolution.

How Scientists Measured Mars’ Rotation

To measure how fast Mars is spinning, scientists used data from NASA’s InSight lander, which operated on the Martian surface for four years before running out of power in December 2022. InSight was equipped with a radio transponder and antennas that made up an instrument called the Rotation and Interior Structure Experiment, or RISE.

RISE worked by receiving and reflecting radio signals from Earth, sent by NASA’s Deep Space Network, a system of three giant antennas around the world. By analyzing the tiny changes in frequency of the reflected signals, caused by the Doppler shift (the same effect that makes an ambulance siren change pitch as it approaches and moves away from you), scientists could determine how fast InSight was moving on Mars’ surface. This, in turn, revealed how fast Mars was rotating on its axis.

Using this technique, scientists achieved the most precise measurement of Mars’ rotation rate ever made. They found that Mars’ rotation is accelerating by about 4 milliarcseconds per year, which corresponds to a shortening of the Martian day by about 0.00075 milliseconds per year. A Martian day, or sol, is already slightly longer than an Earth day, lasting 24 hours and 37 minutes. But now it is getting even shorter as Mars spins faster.


Why Is Mars Spinning Faster?

🤔 The question is: why is Mars spinning faster? Scientists are not entirely sure of the cause, but they have some hypotheses. One possibility is that the redistribution of mass on the planet’s surface or within its interior is affecting its spin rate. For example, ice accumulating on the polar caps or landmasses rising after being buried by glaciers could shift the planet’s mass distribution and make it spin faster, like an ice skater pulling in their arms. Another possibility is that tidal forces from the Sun and other planets are exerting a torque on Mars and changing its angular momentum.

🔎 To test these hypotheses, scientists need more data and models to understand how Mars’ spin rate changes over time and how it relates to other geophysical phenomena, such as seismic activity, atmospheric dynamics, and magnetic field variations. The data from InSight’s RISE instrument provides a valuable baseline for future measurements by other missions, such as NASA’s Perseverance rover and ESA’s ExoMars orbiter. By comparing different datasets, scientists hope to unravel the mysteries of Mars’ spin and learn more about its history and habitability.

What Does It Mean for Us?

🚀 Mars is spinning faster, but does it matter for us? Well, it depends on how you look at it. On one hand, it is a fascinating scientific discovery that sheds light on one of the most intriguing planets in our solar system. On the other hand, it is a reminder that planets are dynamic and complex systems that can change over time in ways that we may not expect or understand. For future explorers and settlers of Mars, knowing how fast the planet spins and how much it wobbles could be important for navigation, communication, and timekeeping.

👩‍🚀 Whether you are a scientist, an engineer, or a curious citizen, Mars is spinning faster and offers you an opportunity to learn more about our cosmic neighbor and appreciate its beauty and diversity.

😒What do you think about this discovery? How do you think it will affect our exploration and colonization of Mars? Do you have any questions or comments about this topic? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!💬👇


I hope you like this article, and learn something new. If you have any question or comments, please feel free to share them with me. I would love to hear from you. And if you want to learn more exoplanets, astronomy, A.I and other science topics, please check out our other articles and resources.

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📚 Sources:


  • (1) NASA says Mars is spinning faster and faster. Here’s what we know. | Firstpost.
  • (2) Yes, Mars Is Spinning Faster. Here's What NASA Found. | MSN.
  • (3) Gravitas: Mars is spinning faster & faster. | MSN.
  • (4) Mars is spinning faster and its days are getting shorter. Scientists ... | Space.
  • (5) NASA InSight Study Finds Mars Is Spinning Faster. | NASA.
  • (6) Mars Keeps Spinning Faster, and Scientists Aren't Sure Why. | Greek Reporter.


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