The microphone will listen for 10 second intervals, and record occasional frequency spectrum information. Scientists will use the latter information to determine the tonal structure of the sound. Sound on the surface of Mars is expected to be similar to that on Earth, except much fainter because there is less atmosphere to push around, according to the project's developers. The Lander's mic will compensate with amplifier circuits, and thus be able to pick up sounds fainter than those that could be detected by the human ear. Sand blown against the Lander and the surrounding terrain.
Wind gusts Sounds from electrical discharges in the dust clouds.
Other, unexpected sounds. NASA officials say experience has shown that when a new instrument is developed and flown in space, it usually yields surprises about extraterrestrial environments. The matchbox-sized device will piggyback on Russian instrument called a lidar, which will study the distribution of dust in the Martian atmosphere. The microphone is funded solely by the Planetary Society, a worldwide nonprofit organization devoted to encouraging space exploration and the search for extraterrestrial life. It is first instrument paid for by a membership organization to fly to another world, according to the Society.