The NASA Perseverance rover captured Mars' speed of sound using its microphone relays attached to its body, and it became a new ground for research to look into the Martian landscape. The discovery brings much information that answers numerous questions from scientists and scholars, something that would be needed for future references.
Another question that is raised by this is whether it is different from Earth's numbers?
NASA Perseverance: Mars Speed of Sound Calculated by Rover
At first, NASA was only gathering sounds from Mars, and it is through the many missions of Perseverance and Ingenuity that they were able to capture this in a first-hand experience. The in-depth study of the Red Planet is an indication that NASA is aiming to go there soon, with a discovery in place with Mars' speed of sound.
The speed of sound is how much an audible noise can travel in the airwaves, and the public already knows what it means here on Earth. However, this mission is not only to know its speed but also to gain information regarding its audibility and describe the soundscape on the planet that will be beneficial for future travels.
Earth's speed of sound is 767 miles per hour (or 343 meters per second), while Mars features a slower rate for both its high-pitched and low-pitched sounds. On Mars, sounds made in the lower pitch travel at 537 mph (or 240 meters per second). On the other hand, high-pitched sounds moved at 559 mph (or 250 meters per second).
Built-in Microphone of Perseverance Brings New Discovery
Researchers gained data from this and published their work in a paper, characterizing the soundscape of Mars. The discovery talked about the sound of silence on the planet, and it is understandable as nothing there would make noise.
The microphones are in Perseverance's head and the rover's chassis.
NASA and the Perseverance Rover
NASA built Perseverance and Ingenuity to discover more about the Red Planet than what is known to the public after several years of studying the neighbor space rock. Perseverance and Ingenuity both focus on learning more about Mars compared to other studies, and its goal now is to uncover whether there is ancient life that previously lived on the planet.
There are many focuses that the Perseverance and Ingenuity spacecraft has, and it includes obtaining rock samples from Mars and discovering if there was water in the earlier years. The mission also released its recent landing video and audio that brings the world's first sight and voice that is available on Mars, through the technology's sensors.
Percy and Ingenuity both bring a massive help in giving more information regarding the Red Planet, and its purpose is to bring more information for everyone to enjoy and discover. Mars is now a significant existence for the public as it is the known neighbor that humans may visit, with its speed of sound playing a massive role in the future.
Related Article: NASA: Perseverance Rover Unsuccessful in its First Attempt of Martian Rock Sampling
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Written by Isaiah Richard
