Scientists have found that time moves slightly faster on the Red Planet than it does on Earth. Clocks on Mars tick, on average, 0.477 milliseconds (477 microseconds) faster over 24 hours when measured from Earth compared with time recorded on our planet, a new study finds. Knowing this difference may help in establishing an “internet” across the solar system.
Over the next few decades, humanity’s presence in the solar system is set to boom, with missions like those in NASA’s Artemis program expected to pave the way for permanent settlements on the moon and beyond. Developing a standard clock for each cosmic locale would help astronauts navigate these worlds while coordinating communications with Earth.
But there’s a catch: Time doesn’t run at the same pace everywhere. Albert Einstein’s theory of general relativity shows that time in a given area depends on how strong the gravity is there. Clocks in areas of high gravity tick more slowly than those where gravity is weaker, which is why people residing atop mountains age a fraction of a millisecond faster than sea-level dwellers. (Time appears to move faster at high altitudes, where Earth’s gravitational tug is reduced.)
“Writer Fuel” is a series of cool real-world stories that might inspire your little writer heart. Check out our Writer Fuel page on the LimFic blog for more inspiration.
