Mars' Surprising Spin Speed Discovered by NASA InSight Study

NASA's InSight Mars lander has provided the most precise measurements to date of Mars' rotation, revealing that the planet is spinning faster and its rotation is accelerating by about 4 milliarcseconds per year. The cause of this acceleration is still uncertain, but possibilities include ice accumulation on the polar caps or post-glacial rebound. InSight's advanced radio technology, including the Rotation and Interior Structure Experiment (RISE), allowed scientists to track Mars' spin rate with unprecedented accuracy. RISE also provided data on Mars' wobble, allowing scientists to estimate the size and shape of the planet's molten metal core. These findings contribute to a better understanding of Mars' geophysical properties.