MARVEL

Mars Audio Perception Study
The MARVEL project includes a comprehensive research study investigating how humans perceive sound in Martian atmospheric conditions. We did a study to determine whether the unique acoustic properties of Mars - particularly acoustic dispersion - are noticeable to the human ear in virtual reality environments.

Study Overview
Using Virtual Reality technology, participants estimated distances of sound sources under both Earth and Mars atmospheric conditions. The study specifically examined acoustic dispersion, a phenomenon where different sound frequencies travel at different speeds on Mars due to its CO2-dominated, low-pressure atmosphere.

Key Findings
The research revealed that acoustic dispersion on Mars is essentially imperceptible to humans. Statistical analysis showed no significant differences in distance estimation accuracy between sounds with and without dispersion effects. This finding validates our design decision to focus on other Mars acoustic properties that are more perceptually relevant.

Scientific Impact
These results provide insights for future Mars missions planning and VR development. The study confirms that while acoustic dispersion is a measurable physical phenomenon on Mars, it can be considered negligible for human perception in practical applications. Other Mars acoustic effects - such as reduced volume, frequency-dependent dampening, and altered sound propagation - prove far more important for creating authentic simulations.

Methodology
The study used statistical analysis including T-tests and correlation analysis to examine participant responses across various distances and sound types. Participants used Meta Quest 3 S headsets with professional audio equipment to ensure accurate sound reproduction in the virtual Mars environment.