Listen to the sounds of Mars
Eleanor Imster in SPACE | October 3, 2019
Here are some of the noises picked up by NASA’s Insight spacecraft since it landed on Mars almost a year ago.
Eleanor Imster in SPACE | October 3, 2019
Here are some of the noises picked up by NASA’s Insight spacecraft since it landed on Mars almost a year ago.
NASA’s Mars InSight lander has had its ear to the ground since it arrived on the planet in November 2018. The spacecraft’s “ear” is an exquisitely sensitive seismometer, called SEIS (Seismic Experiment for Interior Structure), that can pick up vibrations as subtle as a breeze.
SEIS has no trouble identifying quiet quakes, but its sensitive ear means scientists have lots of other noises to filter out. Over time, the team has learned to recognize the different sounds. Some are trickier than others to spot. The recording below, also best heard with headphones, captures the array of sounds the science team is hearing.
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