NASA Lander Findings: Mars Spinning Faster, Days Getting Short.

We humans are always keeping an eye on Mars, the future second home to us.

So as the NASA has reported that Mars is gradually spinning faster each year, causing a slight decrease in the length of a Martian day of a millisecond annually. Although this phenomenon has been observed, but its exact cause remains uncertain.

By thoroughly studying the data received from NASA’s InSight Mars lander, scientists have gained insights into the Martian spin rate. These findings were recently published in the journal Nature.

The received data indicates that Mars’ rotation is accelerating by roughly 4 milliseconds per year. Notably, InSight retired last December but the information it provided has offered valuable insights regarding rotation speed and unsteady shaking of the planet.

The reason behind these activities is because of the planet’s molten metal core, which experiences a phenomenon known as “sloshing.”

NASA’s InSight mission played a pivotal role in this breakthrough. Utilizing a radio transponder and antennas collectively known as the Rotation and Interior Structure Experiment (RISE), scientists could accurately monitor the Martian spin rate.

This acceleration is may be attributed to various factors. Some experts hypothesize that ice buildup on the polar caps or post-glacial rebound – the rising of landmasses after ice cover recedes – could contribute to this phenomenon.

The journey to solve the puzzle of Mars’ changing spin continues, as researchers explore the details of the planet’s composition and dynamics.