Gangale_2000abstr

 

The Martian Time Poll: One Martian Year of Data

Thomas Gangale
marcus@martiana.org
www.martiana.org

Marilyn Dudley-Rowley
leona@martiana.org
www.martiana.org

The design of a Martian timekeeping system must be as much a social construct as an astronomical one if it is to gain wide acceptance within the Martian commumity. Not only must such a system accurately mark the passage of the Martian diurnal and annual cycles, it must also incorporate features that satisfy human social needs. What kind of a clock and calendar do Martians want? The Martian Time Web Site began conducting an online poll in September 1998. The Martian Time Poll consists of 25 questions on the basic elements of Martian timekeeping. The results of the first Martian year of data are reported and discussed.