Planet Mars (Image source: Digital Vision)
Clocks on Mars are about 477 microseconds faster than their counterparts on Earth. While the difference appears small, it has implications for future exploration plans.
Billionaire Elon Musk has the ambition to set up a colony on Mars. According to Neil Ashby and Bijunath R. Patla, one of the things the colonizers have to deal with is the way they view time. The two physicists have published their findings showing that Earthly clocks, when taken to the Red Planet, run 477 microseconds faster.
Why Mars’ clocks run faster
Ashby and Patla discovered that the difference in time advancement is caused by Mars’ weaker gravity and its unique orbit. They back this with the general relativity theory, which implies that clocks will run faster in weaker gravitational fields.
The scientists, however, also account for the effects of Mars’ elliptical orbit and the gravitational pulls from other parts of the solar system. The combination of these factors makes time vary on the planet by as much as ±226 microseconds per day.
Why the difference matters for Mars missions
When planning exploration programs, navigation accuracy is crucial. Mission engineers also have to synchronize operations between Earth and the Red Planet. As such, exploration campaigns must compensate for the Martian clock lead when working out timing requirements.
To illustrate, 5G networks on Earth need to be accurate to one-tenth of a microsecond. When building out Mars-bound infrastructure, including autonomous rovers and GPS-style positioning networks, planners have to meet similar strict tolerances. The study points out that failing to account for the time difference could lead to critical operational errors.
David Odejide – Tech Writer – 374 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2024
I am a writer and software developer with a background in Mechanical Engineering and a distinction MSc in Environmental Management (Energy). My career spans fullstack development (building desktop, web, and Android apps for enterprise clients), Content Strategist/Business Developer in the solar industry, and writing research-driven articles on electric vehicles, renewable energy, and consumer tech.
I previously ran WindowsFoneFans (remember when Windows phones were a thing?) as a social media hub for Windows phone enthusiasts. My work includes hundreds of video scripts on EVs and sustainability, with over 100 million views on YouTube. I also write about chipsets, mobile hardware, and emerging IT trends, drawing on years of hands-on development experience.
Whether it is decoding Snapdragon nodes or analyzing offshore wind policy, I aim to deliver content that is both technically sound and widely accessible. In my spare time, I manage one of the largest LinkedIn groups for wind energy professionals and enjoy getting lost in Scotland’s natural beauty.