What does Sol mean on Mars and how long is it compared to a day on Earth?

Mars is most explored planet in solar system after Moon. It is situated between Jupiter and Earth and is fourth terrestrial planet from Sun. Mars has a radius of 3200 km as opposed to 6400 km of Earth. It also has 10 times lesser mass than Earth, however, it has twice mass compared to Mercury.

Since 1960, a total of 56 missions have been launched to red planet, where some of most table ones include Mariner 9, Viking 1 and 2, Mars Odyssey, Spirit and Opportunity Rovers, Japan's zomi Mars Probe, Europe's Mars Express and Beagle 2 Lander, Phoenix Mars Lander, Mars Pathfinder craft and Sojourner Rover, and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. NASA currently employs three craft in orbit, including a lander and a rover on its surface.

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What does Sol mean on Mars?

Sol is a NASA term for Solar day and is essentially used by planetary scientists. It refers to time that it takes for Mars to revolve once around its own axis. Mars has a similar daily cycle as Earth, and term Sol is used to distinguish it for its longer solar day than Earth by roughly 3%. solar day on Earth is slightly shorter because Mars orbit around sun requires it to turn a bit furr on axis.

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How long is a Sol on Mars?

aver Martian solar day is 24 hours, 39 minutes, and 35 seconds long, whereas, sidereal day is about 24 hours, 37 minutes and 22 seconds. It is roughly about 40 minutes longer than Earth day.

craft that are sent to Mars have a unique clock kwn as " Mars Clock." It helps project and keep a track of solar local time. This special clock has 2.7% longer hours, minutes and seconds than that of Earth’s solar day. All of crew members that are part of any Mars mission are given se unique wristwatches that help keep track of Martian local time.

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Im credits: NASA