The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) reports that the InSight robotic spacecraft is likely to have recorded an earthquake on Mars for the first time.
The InSight probe, or Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport, we recall, went to the Red Planet in May last year and made a successful landing on Mars in November.
The main goal of InSight is to study the internal structure and processes occurring in the thickness of the Martian soil. To do this, two instruments were installed on the surface of the planet - the SEIS (Seismic Experiment for Interior Structure) seismometer for measuring tectonic activity and the HP (Heat Flow and Physical Properties Probe) device for recording heat flow under the surface of Mars.
So, it is reported that on April 6, SEIS sensors registered weak seismic activity. NASA notes that this is the first such signal that appears to be coming from the depths of the Red Planet. Until now, disturbances associated with activity over the surface of Mars, in particular, signals caused by winds, have been recorded.
Thus, there is a possibility that the InSight probe registered a “marsquake” for the first time. However, while researchers do not undertake to draw final conclusions. Experts continue to study the received data in order to establish the exact source of the recorded signal.
NASA also added that the SEIS sensors registered three even weaker signals - they were received on March 14, as well as on April 10 and 11.
Source: 3dnews.ru