Exploring Sound on Mars: Can We Hear on the Red Planet?
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Chapter 1: The Nature of Sound
Sound differs from light in that it needs a medium to travel through. But what happens when that medium is extremely thin—specifically, 100 times less dense than Earth's atmosphere? Is it possible for sound waves to propagate in such an environment? This question intrigued me after reading an article by Avery regarding seismic vibrations detected by NASA's InSight seismometer.
These seismic vibrations are classified as very low-frequency (subsonic) sounds generated by high-energy impacts, which the seismometer can record using the Martian ground as a medium.
Section 1.1: Can Astronauts Talk on Mars?
This leads us to ponder whether astronauts on Mars could converse a few feet apart without relying on their helmet headsets. In my quest for answers, I discovered that NASA has a dedicated page titled "Sounds of Mars."
The page provides insights into sound propagation on Mars and offers several audio samples recorded by the microphones on the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover, which succeeded InSight. The introduction to the section "The Science of Sound on Mars" states:
"The Perseverance rover is equipped with two microphones, allowing us to capture Martian sounds for the first time. Although Earth and Mars differ significantly, rest assured that if you were on Mars, you would still sound quite similar to yourself."
Section 1.2: Sound Quality on Mars
However, the sound quality would be notably different. Sounds would come across as quieter and more muted, and there would be a delay in their travel time. The Martian atmosphere is fundamentally different from Earth's, leading to a significant alteration in audio perception, particularly for high-frequency sounds. Everyday sounds familiar to us—like whistles, bells, or bird songs—would be barely audible on the Red Planet.
Chapter 2: Recording Sounds of Mars
The primary microphone on the Perseverance Rover, designed by JPL, is located within the SuperCam, while the secondary microphone is a commercially available model mounted on the rover. Although both microphones are operational, NASA primarily utilizes the SuperCam microphone for sound recording due to its specialized design for Martian conditions.
From the information provided, we learn that high-frequency sounds are significantly diminished by the Martian atmosphere. Additionally, due to the combined effects of low temperatures and reduced atmospheric density, the speed of sound on Mars is lower than on Earth, measuring 240 m/s compared to 340 m/s.
In the first video titled "Alien | 'In Space No One Can Hear You Scream' Trailer [HD] | 20th Century FOX," we explore the unsettling silence of space.
The second video, "In Space, No One Can Hear You Scream. | Alien: Isolation – PART 1," delves into the eerie atmosphere of space exploration.
To conclude, while NASA does not offer an option to embed their Martian sounds directly, they provide downloadable audio files that are in the public domain. I downloaded one titled "Helicopter Flying on Mars" and uploaded it to my Soundcloud account. For the next 2 minutes and 30 seconds, you can imagine soaring above the Martian surface just as I did:
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sources:
Sounds of Mars | NASA
Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover | NASA
Mars as Art Images | NASA
A Martian article by Nikolaos Skordilis.