Perseverance Science Highlights – NASA Science

For the first time on Mars, scientists listened to the sounds that filled the Martian atmosphere via microphones on board the Perseverance rover. From the 24 hour-long playlist recorded by Perseverance so far, sounds of the rover’s gaseous dust removal tool and the wind were recorded. These sounds led scientists to discover that the speed of sound is slower on Mars when compared to Earth, due to the planet’s thin carbon dioxide atmosphere. The pressure of the atmosphere also contributes to the volume of sounds on Mars that vary throughout seasons. During low-pressure seasons, the microphone revealed silence. Sounds heard on Earth would be quieter and more muffled on Mars, and high-pitched sounds, like whistles and birds, would be very difficult to hear on Mars. Having this new form of analysis on the Red Planet gives more insight into the atmosphere dynamics and sounds throughout the seasons, in addition to the overall functionality of the rover.