NASA's Perseverance Rover has used its microphones to capture the sounds of the Red Planet, including its harsh winds and hum of Ingenuity. Scientists have discovered that sound travels differently on Mars than it does on Earth.
The thin carbon dioxide atmosphere on the Red Planet causes sound to travel slower, according to a study published in the journal Nature. Sound travels at 767 miles per hour. On Mars, scientists determined that low-pitched travel is about 537 miles per hour, while high-pitched travel is about 559 miles per hour.
On Earth, the sounds from an orchestra reach you at the same speed, whether they are low or high. If you are far from the stage, there will be a big delay, according to the study's lead author.
The planet's thin atmosphere makes sounds carry a shorter distance. On Earth, they drop off at about 213 feet, whereas on Mars, they start to fall after only 13 feet. It would be hard to have a conversation with someone only 16 feet away. NASA has put together recordings that give a sense of how the atmosphere on Mars would change our perception of the world.
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