Science

NASA InSight Reveals Daily Meteorite Strikes on Mars

Jun 28, 2024 1 min read

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New research using data from NASA's InSight mission has revealed that Mars experiences a significantly higher number of meteorite impacts than previously estimated. Led by scientists from Imperial College London and ETH Zurich, the study indicates that between 280 to 360 meteorites strike Mars each year, creating craters larger than eight meters in diameter. These findings were derived from seismic data recorded by InSight's seismometer, which detected high-frequency marsquakes indicative of meteoroid impacts.

The study, published in Nature Astronomy, discovered that Mars is hit by approximately 300 basketball-sized meteorites annually. This rate is five times higher than previous estimates based on orbital imagery. The new data suggest that impact-generated seismic events are more abundant than previously thought, providing a more accurate method for measuring meteorite impact rates. This enhanced understanding of impact frequency on Mars could improve the dating of planetary surfaces across the Solar System and aid in planning future Mars missions. The research also underscores the potential of seismology as a tool for understanding planetary impact rates and surface age.

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