Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have made significant progress in understanding what triggers massive dust storms on Mars. The study, led by graduate student Heshani Pieris, suggests that warm and sunny conditions may play a key role in initiating these dramatic events.
Dust storms on Mars are known to pose serious challenges for future robotic and crewed missions. However, unlike on Earth, where the atmosphere can cause destruction, Mars’ thin atmosphere means the storms lack the force to wreak havoc. Nevertheless, they can still be hazardous, as seen in 2018 when a global dust storm coated NASA’s Opportunity rover in dust, blocking its solar panels and ultimately ending its mission.
The study focused on two recurring weather patterns, labeled “A” and “C” storms, which occurred over eight Martian years (equivalent to 15 Earth years). Researchers identified periods of increased surface temperatures as a potential precursor to major storms. They found that about 68% of large dust storms were preceded by a sharp increase in surface temperatures.
While the team cannot definitively say that warm conditions directly cause the storms, they propose a similar mechanism occurs on Earth. When heat rises near the ground, it forms towering storm clouds. The researchers aim to further refine their understanding of these weather patterns and eventually predict dust storms on Mars in real-time, improving the safety of future missions.
The study is an important step toward building tools to predict and mitigate the effects of Martian dust storms. It bridges the gap between what we observe and what we can predict, paving the way for better forecasting and safer exploration of the Red Planet.
Source: https://www.earth.com/news/dust-storms-can-engulf-the-entire-planet-of-mars-but-how