MARSIS is a word that represents the name of the Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionosphere Sounding instrument. The spelling of MARSIS is based on the phonetic transcription of the acronym. The IPA phonetic transcription for MARSIS is /ˈmɑːrsɪs/. The word is pronounced with stress on the first syllable and the second syllable pronounced as "siss". The word is used to refer to the instrument used to study the subsurface and ionosphere of Mars, providing important data for scientific research.
MARSIS (Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionosphere Sounding) is a scientific instrument designed to study the subsurface and ionosphere of Mars, particularly in search of water and ice. It is one of the key instruments onboard the European Space Agency's (ESA) Mars Express spacecraft, which was launched in 2003 and entered orbit around Mars in December 2003.
The primary objective of MARSIS is to map the subsurface structure of Mars, including the detection of water and ice deposits beneath the planet's surface. It achieves this by transmitting low-frequency radio waves towards the planet's surface and analyzing the reflected signals. By measuring the time it takes for the signals to travel to the surface and back, scientists can infer the thickness and composition of subsurface layers, such as the presence of water ice or other geological structures.
Additionally, MARSIS also investigates the Martian ionosphere, which is the outermost part of the atmosphere containing charged particles. By studying the ionosphere, scientists can gain insights into the interactions between the atmosphere, the solar wind, and the planet's magnetic field.
MARSIS has already provided valuable discoveries and insights into the geological history of Mars, including evidence of the presence of subsurface water ice in certain regions. It has significantly contributed to our understanding of the Martian environment and the potential for past or present habitable conditions.