A familiar glance at Earth clocks gives certainty. Atomic time and satellites guide each passing second. Yet things
shift once clocks leave the planet. Scientists now face a vital cosmic question. What exact time should define daily
How fast do clocks tick on Mars?
Physicists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology calculated the answer. Their results appear in The
Astronomical Journal. They found Martian clocks tick faster each day. The increase reached an average of 477
microseconds daily. The Martian year creates wide timing variations. These shifts reached 226 microseconds in certain
periods. Earlier work by NIST detailed lunar timekeeping methods. That study appeared in 2024 publications. Bijunath
Patla explained the importance of timing. NASA needs precise clocks for future missions. Accurate time helps navigation
Why do Martian clocks stay out of sync?
Einstein explained that gravity affects each passing second. Clocks slow down where gravity grows stronger. Clocks speed
up where gravity becomes weaker. Orbital velocity influences time passage as well. NIST chose a fixed Martian surface
point. This acted like Earth’s sea level reference. Years of mission data revealed local gravity values. Gravity on Mars
is five times weaker than Earth’s. Patla and Neil Ashby needed more variables added. They considered the Sun’s huge pull
across space. They added effects from Earth, the Moon and Jupiter. These interactions create Mars’ eccentric long orbit.
Lunar timing remains steady at 56 microseconds faster. Mars shows larger variations due to orbital changes. Patla
described the complex four-body calculations involved. These calculations proved more difficult than expected.
Why does Martian time matter for communication?
Even tiny differences reshape communication networks. Modern 5G technology needs extreme accuracy. Mars signals face
long delays today. Delays range from four to 24 minutes. Patla compared current links to old sea crossings. Messages
drift slowly between planets today. A shared timing system could change that future. Synchronised networks could ease
communication burdens. Information could flow faster with reduced confusion. Ashby said missions remain decades from
high traffic. Yet early study helps prepare for future needs. Navigation systems will demand accurate clocks. These
clocks rely on Einstein’s general relativity. Understanding timing strengthens deep space planning.