Using NASA’s Insight Mars Lander, scientists have made precise measurements of Mars’ rotation, discovering a subtle acceleration and the planet’s wobble caused by its molten core. These measurements offer valuable insight into the size and shape of the Martian core, providing crucial information about Mars’ internal structure.

Data sent by the InSight spacecraft before it retired in December 2022 has provided new details about the planet’s rotation speed and wobble. In a recent Nature paper, scientists detailed their findings, which rely on data from NASA’s Insight Mars lander.

To track Mars’ spin rate, researchers used a tool on InSight called the Rotation and Interior Structure Experiment (RISE). They found that Mars’ rotation is accelerating at a rate of about 4 milliarcseconds per year squared, resulting in a slight shortening of the length of a Martian day each year.

The cause of this subtle acceleration is still uncertain, but scientists have theories, including ice accumulation on the polar caps or post-glacial rebound of landmasses. Changes in a planet’s mass can cause it to accelerate, similar to how an ice skater speeds up by pulling their arms inward while spinning.

The RISE instrument on InSight utilized advanced radio technology and upgrades to the antennas within NASA’s Deep Space Network on Earth, resulting in data about five times more accurate than previous missions. By beaming a radio signal to the lander and measuring the reflected signal, scientists could detect tiny variations in frequency caused by the planet’s rotation.

This study analyzed data from InSight’s first 900 Martian days, during which scientists worked to eliminate sources of noise that could distort the signals. The findings provide valuable insights into Mars’ rotational dynamics and contribute to our understanding of the planet’s internal structure.

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