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NASA's InSight Reveals Mars' Day Shortening Due to Interior Anomaly

3/29/2026

Summary

Story summary

NASA's InSight Mars lander has detected Mars' rotation speeding up, shortening a Martian day by fractions of a millisecond each year.
A Delft University study suggests a negative mass anomaly beneath Mars' surface could drive a plume of hot mantle material that speeds rotation.
The researchers say this mechanism could explain volcanic activity in the Tharsis region.
They call for in-situ experiments to understand Mars' interior dynamics and solar-system implications.

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Story summary

NASA's InSight Mars lander has detected Mars' rotation speeding up, shortening a Martian day by fractions of a millisecond each year.
A Delft University study suggests a negative mass anomaly beneath Mars' surface could drive a plume of hot mantle material that speeds rotation.
The researchers say this mechanism could explain volcanic activity in the Tharsis region.
They call for in-situ experiments to understand Mars' interior dynamics and solar-system implications.