Photo of the seismometer on board the NASA Mars probe
NASA
A NASA probe exploring the rock structure of Mars using technology partly developed by Swiss scientists has transmitted signals back to Earth that resemble tremors, it has been reported.
This content was published on
1 minute
ETH Zurich/sb
The Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich) said on WednesdayExternal link that the InSight NASA probe, which landed on Mars last November, had transmitted a series of “promising signals” from Mars to Earth.
“Researchers have interpreted a seismic event that reached Earth on April 6, 2019 as a possible Marsquake”, ETH Zurich said. A seismometer developed by the federal institute is onboard the unmanned NASA probe.
ETH Zurich said the signal supported the assumption that Mars is seismically active, but added that the signals are too quiet to give any idea of the inner geological structure of the planet beneath the crust.
This particular signal appears to have come from within the planet, but it is unclear what caused the quake. To the surprise of scientists, the seismic activity of Mars had more in common with a tremor on the moon rather than on Earth.
InSight (Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport) is the first mission dedicated to studying the rock structure of Mars. It is due to last two years – one Martian year – and aims to improve understanding of how rocky planets including Earth are formed and develop.
More
More
Swiss electronics to take Mars’ pulse
This content was published on
Now Zurich researchers will be analysing the data collected from the mysterious planet’s interior.
Train vs plane: would you take a direct train between London and Geneva?
Eurostar is planning to run direct trains from Britain to Germany and Switzerland from the early 2030s. Would you favour the train over the plane? If not, why not?
Rhine could warm by up to 4°C by 2100, scientists warn
This content was published on
The water temperature of the Rhine River could rise by up to 4.2° degrees Celsius by the end of the century due to the warming planet, scientists warn.
This content was published on
The Federal Council wants to explore the possibilities of joining the European Union’s €800-billion rearmament programme without compromising Swiss neutrality.
Defence Minister Pfister stresses importance of Swiss mission in Balkans
This content was published on
During a visit to the Balkans region last week, Swiss Defence Minister Martin Pfister met Swisscoy peacekeeping troops in Kosovo.
Premiere for Swiss Air Force on French National Day
This content was published on
On July 14, the Swiss Air Force will take part in the traditional air parade in Paris to mark the French bank holidays with an F/A-18 fighter jet. This is a first for Switzerland.
Swiss launch competition for memorial to Nazi victims
This content was published on
The victims of Nazi Germany are to be commemorated on the Casinoterrasse in Bern. A competition will be held to determine what the site will look like.
This content was published on
The cantonal police of Graubünden in eastern Switzerland have arrested and convicted five cocaine dealers in Chur within a week.
This content was published on
The Swiss business umbrella organisation Economiesuisse and the employers' association broadly support the package of agreements negotiated with the European Union.
This content was published on
A seismometer controlled with Swiss-developed electronics will be on board when NASA’s “InSight” lander sets off on a mission to Mars on May 5.
This content was published on
In 2021, a European rover is set to roll over the surface of Mars in the search for traces of life. At its heart is a Swiss camera.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.