In a study published Friday in the journal Nature, the researchers said they determined that the red planet’s thin carbon dioxide atmosphere caused sound to travel slower on Mars, with the pitch of the sound further affecting its speed. On Earth, sound usually travels at 767 miles per hour. But on Mars, scientists have determined that low-key travel is about 537 miles per hour, while high tides travel at about 559 miles per hour. If you were visiting Mars, that means you would hear high-pitched sounds a little earlier. “On Earth, the sounds of an orchestra reach you at the same speed, whether they are low or high. But imagine on Mars, if you are a little off stage, there will be a long delay,” said Sylvestre Maurice, lead author. of the study, he told the French news agency AFP. Sounds also carry shorter distances due to the planet’s delicate atmosphere. On Earth, they fall to about 213 feet, while on Mars the sounds begin to falter after just 13 feet. This is something that would make it difficult to talk to someone who is only 16 feet away from you. If you want to hear how things like birds and ocean waves on Mars would sound, NASA has put together recordings that give a sense of how a Martian-like atmosphere would change our perception of the world. All products offered by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, regardless of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links, we may gain an affiliate commission.
