Published on December 3, 2025 Written by Lydia Amazouz

Collected at: https://dailygalaxy.com/2025/12/why-time-moves-faster-on-mars/

Time may seem like a constant force, but according to a new study published on December 1 in The Astronomical Journal, the passage of time on Mars is not the same as on Earth. This intriguing discovery is grounded in the principles of Einstein’s general relativity and has profound implications for space exploration, navigation, and our understanding of the cosmos. As researchers continue to explore the complexities of time on Mars, these findings are reshaping how we think about time, space, and the future of interplanetary travel.

The Power of Gravity: Time’s Relationship with Mass and Distance

In the cosmos, the fabric of space-time is not uniform. Time is influenced by the mass of celestial bodies and their gravitational pull, a key concept from Albert Einstein’s general theory of relativity. On Earth, time passes relatively steadily, but on Mars, things work a bit differently. Mars, with its weaker gravity compared to Earth, causes time to pass faster. This phenomenon is due to the fact that gravity’s strength can warp time—stronger gravity slows time down, while weaker gravity speeds it up. Mars, being smaller and lighter than Earth, creates less gravitational pull, allowing clocks there to tick faster.

Plots of the clock-rate offsets between a clock on Mars compared to clocks on the Earth and the Moon for ∼40 yr starting from MJD 52275 (2003 January 1), using the DE440. The Earth–Moon rate offsets are computed using expressions derived in N. Ashby & B. R. Patla (2024). Mars’s ∼15.8 yr seasonal opposition cycle consists of three or four aphelic oppositions and three consecutive perihelic oppositions. These so-called seven Martian synodic periods are not exact, see discussion at the end of Section 3. But every 79 yr, the pattern of Mars–Earth opposition geometry and seasons recur almost exactly J. D. Beish (2002). In order to compute the mean rate offset between Mars and Earth, we use only one ∼15.8 yr cycle to estimate the mean rate to be 477.60 μs day−1 with a mean oscillation amplitude of 226.79 μs day−1 over a Martian period (1.88 yr). The rate offset of Mars with respect to the Moon is 421.55 μs day−1 with the same mean oscillation amplitude. The difference between these two rates is ≈56.05 μs day−1. Additionally, the amplitude envelope of the clock-rate offset between Earth and Mars, as well as between Moon and Mars, shows a modulation of about ∼40 μs day−1 over a seven Martian synodic cycle.
Plots of the clock-rate offsets between a clock on Mars compared to clocks on the Earth and the Moon for ∼40 yr starting from MJD 52275 (2003 January 1), using the DE440. The Earth–Moon rate offsets are computed using expressions derived in N. Ashby & B. R. Patla (2024). Mars’s ∼15.8 yr seasonal opposition cycle consists of three or four aphelic oppositions and three consecutive perihelic oppositions. These so-called seven Martian synodic periods are not exact, see discussion at the end of Section 3. But every 79 yr, the pattern of Mars–Earth opposition geometry and seasons recur almost exactly J. D. Beish (2002). In order to compute the mean rate offset between Mars and Earth, we use only one ∼15.8 yr cycle to estimate the mean rate to be 477.60 μs day−1 with a mean oscillation amplitude of 226.79 μs day−1 over a Martian period (1.88 yr). The rate offset of Mars with respect to the Moon is 421.55 μs day−1 with the same mean oscillation amplitude. The difference between these two rates is ≈56.05 μs day−1. Additionally, the amplitude envelope of the clock-rate offset between Earth and Mars, as well as between Moon and Mars, shows a modulation of about ∼40 μs day−1 over a seven Martian synodic cycle. (The Astronomical Journal)

However, this isn’t the only factor influencing time on Mars. The study, which was published on December 1 in The Astronomical Journal, goes into greater depth, showing that the relationship between time, gravity, and the planet’s orbit is much more complex. Mars’ eccentric orbit, as well as its varying distance from the sun, plays a crucial role in altering the passage of time. As the planet moves closer or farther from the sun, the variations in time become more significant.

“Mars’ distance from the sun and its eccentric orbit make the variations in time larger,” said Patla, the study’s lead author.

This new understanding helps us to appreciate how even slight differences in gravitational fields and orbits can have profound effects on time measurement.

The Challenges of Space Navigation and Accurate Timekeeping

As humans prepare for future missions to Mars and other planets, precise navigation systems will be essential. The findings from this study are particularly important in the context of interplanetary travel and the development of navigation systems. Just as Earth relies on GPS systems to pinpoint locations, future missions to Mars will need similarly accurate systems. These systems will, however, be affected by the discrepancies in time passage due to Mars’ different gravitational pull and orbit.

Patla further explained,

“A three-body problem is extremely complicated. Now we’re dealing with four: the sun, Earth, the moon, and Mars. The heavy lifting was more challenging than I initially thought.”

The complexity of these variables—especially the interactions between multiple celestial bodies—makes it more challenging to maintain precise timekeeping systems. Ensuring that rovers, landers, and other space exploration devices can navigate effectively requires understanding how time behaves on Mars in comparison to Earth.

“Like current global navigation systems like GPS, these systems will depend on accurate clocks, and the effects of clock rates can be analyzed with the help of Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity,” said Ashby, a co-author of the study.

This research provides invaluable insight for future space missions, where timing will be everything.

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The residuals from the evaluation of Equation (27)—which represents the rate offset between Mars and Earth—are obtained by differencing the solar-tide-corrected models from the DE440 solution. The Keplerian model (line on solid squares) is limited in that it does not account for the effects of solar tides on Mars (mostly during oppositions), although the Earth and Moon orbits are corrected for such effects. The residuals indicate that the maximum variation in the rate offsets can reach up to ±175 ns day−1 over the course of a few Martian years. Using DE440 ephemerides for Mars (solid line with filled circles) constrains the residuals to within ±100 ns day−1. The solid and dashed curves illustrate the effect of using DE440 models for the Earth’s potential and Doppler terms in Equation (27). These results show that the Doppler contribution, after applying solar-tide corrections to the Earth’s motion, amounts to ±45 ns day−1, while the error associated with the Earth–Sun distance estimation is ±55 ns day−1. Thus, the neglected motion of the Sun in the heliocentric coordinate system contributes to errors in the Earth–Sun distance and, indirectly, in the estimation of Earth’s velocity. The clock-rate offset residuals stay within a few nanoseconds over ∼100 days when the velocity and position are updated using solar-tide-corrected models together with the DE440 ephemerides for Mars.(The Astronomical Journal)

A Leap Forward in Space Exploration

The study’s results are not just relevant for timekeeping, but also for the broader goals of space exploration. As we look ahead to the colonization of Mars and other planets, understanding the physics of time on these distant worlds is essential. The article touches on a significant reality:

“It may be decades before the surface of Mars is covered by the tracks of wandering rovers, but it is useful now to study the issues involved in establishing navigation systems on other planets and moons.”

This research lays the groundwork for future interplanetary travel and the technologies needed to support it, making sure that we are prepared when the time comes to send humans to Mars.

Patla also highlighted the timeliness of the study: “The time is just right for the moon and Mars,” he said. “This is the closest we have been to realizing the science-fiction vision of expanding across the solar system.”

With technological advancements and scientific breakthroughs, the possibility of colonizing Mars and beyond feels closer than ever. However, these advancements also come with challenges, such as accurately measuring time and navigating through the vastness of space.

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