What Is A Sol In Earth Days: Understanding Martian Time

What is the equivalent Earth duration for 90 sols? To provide some context, during its mission, Spirit was designed to be active for 90 sols, which is slightly less than 92.5 Earth days. Unfortunately, it encountered operational issues and ceased communications in 2010 after getting stuck in 2009. In contrast, Opportunity exceeded expectations, remaining operational for an impressive 5111 sols after its landing. This remarkable longevity was made possible by regularly recharging its batteries, ensuring the functionality of essential power and systems throughout its extended mission.

Have you ever wondered why a day on Mars is called a “sol”? Well, it’s because a Mars solar day, also known as a “sol,” has a slightly longer duration than a day on Earth. On Mars, a sol has an average period of approximately 24 hours, 39 minutes, and 35.244 seconds. This distinction is important because it helps us differentiate it from the solar day on Earth, which is roughly 3% shorter. As of May 18, 2023, this fascinating feature of Martian timekeeping continues to intrigue scientists and space enthusiasts alike.