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Mars and Earth - Small difference & big consequences

Einstein's theory of relativity suggests that time is not a constant and can vary based on gravitational fields and speed. In a strong gravitational field, time moves slower compared to a weaker one. Since Mars has a weaker gravitational field than Earth, time actually flows slightly faster there.  This concept has implications for future space missions, as the timing of communication and operation of spacecraft will need to account for this difference in how time elapses on Mars compared to Earth. Missions may need to adjust their schedules, operations, and technology to ensure accuracy and synchronization with Earth. Basically, the moment you bring gravity and velocity into the picture, time stops behaving like the simple, universal tick‑tock we experience in everyday life. And you’re absolutely right: Mars’ weaker gravity means clocks there run a little faster than clocks on Earth. What’s fascinating is how small the difference is—and how big the consequences become ...

Five planets revealed after 20 years of observation

Over 4000 exoplanets have been discovered since the first one in 1995, but the vast majority of them orbit their stars with relatively short periods of revolution. Indeed, to confirm the presence of a planet, it is necessary to wait until it has made one or more revolutions around its star. This can take from a few days for the closest to the star to decades for the furthest away: Jupiter for example takes 11 years to go around the sun. Only a telescope dedicated to the search for exoplanets can carry out such measurements over such long periods of time, which is the case of the EULER telescope of the Geneva University (UNIGE), Switzerland, located at the Silla Observatory in Chile. These planets with long periods of revolution are of particular interest to astronomers because they are part of a poorly known but unavoidable population to explain the formation and evolution of planets. An article published by the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics.

from Astronomy News - Space News, Exploration News, Earth Science News, Earth Science http://bit.ly/2IAEiRc

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