In a recent study, scientists from NASA have discovered something familiar swirling through the air on Mars. This is a commonly observed occurrence here on Earth. However, what scientists have observed goes beyond anything we’ve seen. In this article, we have done well to describe what NASA has observed through the Perseverance rover.
Scientists observe swirling mystery on Mars
For decades, scientists have found themselves in a challenge to uncover the red planet. Although most of their attempts have been successful, the atmosphere on Mars has often brought intrigue. Of all the planets within our solar system, Mars has shown the most peculiar train of climates over its expanse.
The red planet is famously known for its thin and cold atmosphere; however, there are several reasons why Mars appears the way it does. For instance, Mars is unable to hold onto as much gravity or gas as Earth does because of its relatively small size. Also, Mars had lost its magnetic field, which was supposed to hold air billions of years ago.
Even with these events, the Martian soil had not become uninteresting to explore. Researchers have spent years observing Mars, and now they have found something interesting. NASA’s Perseverance rover has discovered a swirling storm roaming the red planet. Although this phenomenon is quite familiar on Earth, scientists have discovered something much different.
Dust devils on Mars have electric discharges
On the dry tropics of Mars, NASA’s Opportunity rover reveals the occurrence of roaming dust. Just like on Earth, dust devils are a frequent phenomenon on Mars. They are formed by rising columns of warm air. When the cool dust in the atmosphere comes in contact with the warm landscape of Mars, it causes a reaction where dust begins to form and rotate in columns.
55 dust devils have been recorded in the past five years since the launch of Perseverance. 16 have been recorded to happen over the rover. However, scientists observed something different with this one, like this recently discovered ancient mystery only seen on Earth. Through the rover’s SuperCam and microphone, they were able to record the occurrence and an audio recording of an electric discharge.
This occurrence has been predicted by scientists over the course of exploring Mars, but it had never been seen. The dust devils produced enough electricity to create electric arcs known as the triboelectric effect. This is the discharge produced when we drag our socks over a carpeted floor and touch a metal knob.
NASA confirms the hypothesis of electromagnetism on Mars
Just like we had previously said, several events have rendered Mars complicated and empty. However, scientists have tried to find the occurrence of activity or occurrences within its dusty quiet. Although this dust devil adds a bit of complication, it confirms long-standing theories of electromagnetism on Mars.
How this occurrence complicates future Martian exploration
According to scientists who monitor the Perseverance rover, the implications of this discovery are beyond broad. From the standpoint of atmospheric weather, it suggests that Mars may be more dynamic than previous scientific theories have suggested. These electric charges could alter atmospheric oxides or other organic molecules on Mars.
For future explorations, NASA is looking to develop more acoustic and electromagnetic sensors that would be used to monitor this discharge much more closely. They would be able to map their distribution through the landscape and observe their effects on both the atmosphere and neighboring gases.
What had once seemed like a simple swirl of dust turns out to be a source of electric discharge. Apparently, the red planet isn’t as idle as scientists had described it for years. Now, NASA is looking to study how often these swirls occur and under what conditions they produce electric charges, just like this strange Martian rock discovery with foreign origin.