On Mars, a second is less time than on Earth. Explorers of the Red Planet will experience a fascinating phenomenon: time dilation, albeit very minimally.
Time dilation is not science fiction, but a scientific reality. It is a concept of Einstein's special and general relativity. In simple termstime does not pass the same for everyone. It depends on the speed and gravity one is exposed to.
On Earth, we already experience this dilation, even if it is minuscule. For example, our feet age more slowly than our heads. The reason? They are closer to the Earth's gravitational center. This difference is insignificant, but it illustrates the principle.
The effect is most noticeable for astronauts in space. Aboard the International Space Station, for example, they live in a reduced-gravity environment. Additionally, its speed relative to the Earth affects the passage of time.
An 80-year life on Mars would be 12 seconds shorter than on Earth
Thus, time dilation in astronauts is a tug of war between gravity and speed. Lower gravity in space would mean faster time, but the high travel speed makes up for it. The result is an imperceptible journey into the future.
Now, the mission to Mars will intensify these effects. The 21-month voyage duration is expected to cause even more noticeable time dilation. However, compared to the speed of light, where time dilation is extreme, it will still be a minimal effect.
The prolonged stay on Mars provides another nuance. According to IflScience, an 80-year lifespan on Mars could be shortened by about 12 seconds compared to Earth. From our terrestrial perspective, it seems insignificant. But in the grand scheme of the universe, it's an example of how space and time are intrinsically connected.
Be that as it may, astronauts heading to Mars will not only explore a new world. They will also witness one of the strangest and most fascinating phenomena in the Universe: time dilation.