A dust devil photographed on Mars (Image source: ESA, TGO, and CaSSIS; cropped)
Researchers combined data from two Mars missions to build a catalogue of 1,039 dust devils. They measured the speed and direction of these dust devils, using the information to map the Martian wind. This study could be crucial when planning for future missions to Mars.
Over the years, scientists have observed numerous dust devils on Mars. Rovers like the Perseverance rover have made this possible. But none of those rovers have ever tracked the motion of these tornado-like whirlwinds.
This new study — led by Valentin Bickel of the University of Bern in Switzerland — not only captured dust devils but also measured their speed and direction. The researchers created a map showing the location of 1,039 dust devils and revealing the direction of motion of 373 of them.
They discovered wind speeds of up to 158 kilometers per hour as they tracked how fast the dust devils traveled. Incredibly, that wind speed is much faster than what scientists have been able to measure with the rovers.
How Bickel and his team tracked the dust devils is also noteworthy. They used an unwanted feature of the ESA’s Mars Express and ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO).When viewing a moving object such as a dust devil, delays in the views of Mars Express and ExoMars TGO cause what the ESA refers to as “color offsets.” Bickel and his team used the color offsets to track the dust devils.
This study is helping improve scientists’ understanding of wind patterns across Mars. It could be useful when planning future missions to the Red Planet.
Chibuike Okpara – Tech Writer – 237 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2024
I have always been fascinated by technology and digital devices my entire life and even got addicted to it. I have always marveled at the intricacy of even the simplest digital devices and systems around us. I have been writing and publishing articles online for about 6 years now, just about a year ago, I found myself lost in the marvel of smartphones and laptops we have in our hands every day. I developed a passion for learning about new devices and technologies that come with them and at some point, I asked myself, “Why not get into writing tech articles?” It is useless to say I followed up the idea — it is evident. I am an open-minded individual who derives an infinite amount of joy from researching and discovering new information, I believe there is so much to learn and such a short life to live, so I put my time to good use — learning new things. I am a ‘bookworm’ of the internet and digital devices. When I am not writing, you will find me on my devices still, I do explore and admire the beauty of nature and creatures. I am a fast learner and quickly adapt to changes, always looking forward to new adventures.