Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
Humans have harboured a profound fascination with Mars for centuries, with numerous missions launched to study its surface and atmosphere. NASA's ambitious plans to send astronauts to the Red Planet within the next few decades have captured the imagination of scientists and space enthusiasts alike.
Amidst discussions about potential Mars missions, questions arise regarding the practicality of walking around the entire circumference of the planet. Given Mars' distinct geographical features and lack of large bodies of water, the notion of circumnavigation presents an intriguing thought experiment.
Erdal Yigit, an associate professor of physics and astronomy at George Mason University, sheds light on the essential factors influencing the duration of such a journey. He emphasizes the importance of considering the astronaut's velocity (speed and direction) and the total distance to be covered.
Exploring the potential routes, it's estimated that walking along Mars' equator would span approximately 13,300 miles (21,400 kilometers), while traversing through its polar regions could slightly reduce the distance by about 100 miles (160 km).
Despite Mars' lower gravity compared to Earth (about 40% of Earth's gravity), experts suggest that an astronaut's walking speed would likely resemble that on Earth. This assumption accounts for the cumbersome nature of space suits and the necessity of carrying essential supplies.
If one were to walk continuously at an average speed of 3.1 mph (5 km/h), simple calculations suggest that circumnavigating Mars along the equator would take roughly 174 Martian days (sol), with each sol equivalent to approximately 24.7 Earth hours.
However, practical considerations complicate the scenario. Factors such as the need for rest, sleep, and other essential activities would extend the journey's duration significantly. Additionally, the presence of rough terrain, including mountains, valleys, and craters, poses potential obstacles that must be navigated.