NASA has posted a sampling of some of the most awe-inspiring photos of Mars, to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the launch of Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. They are proof that Mars is a very photogenic world. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/mars-photos-mars-reconnaissance-orbiter-15th-anniversary…
Tag: dust storms
Giant Waves of Sand Are Moving On Mars
“Researchers have spotted large waves of martian sand migrating for the first time,” reports Science magazine. “The discovery dispels the long-held belief that these ‘megaripples’ haven’t moved since they formed hundreds of thousands of years ago. They’re also evidence of stronger-than-expected winds on the Red Planet.” It’s pretty staggering that humans can detect these changes on Mars, says Ralph Lorenz, a…
The United Arab Emirates Successfully Launch a Spacecraft to Mars
The United Arab Emirates has successfully launched a spacecraft towards an orbit around Mars, reports the New York Times. Built by a space physics lab at the University of Colorado, the Hope Mars probe was tested in Dubai, before being shipped to Japan’s Tanegashima Island, where it was launched by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The launch is being streamed on the web…
How dust could make some exoplanets more habitable
A new study from scientists in the UK suggests that atmospheric dust could increase the habitability of some exoplanets, especially those orbiting red dwarf stars. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/how-dust-could-make-some-exoplanets-more-habitable…
Electrically charged dust storms drive Martian chlorine cycle
How’s the weather on Mars? Tough on rovers, but very good for generating and moving highly reactive chlorine compounds. New research from Washington University in St. Louis planetary scientists shows that Martian dust storms, like the one that eventually shut down the Opportunity rover, drive the cycle of chlorine from surface to atmosphere and may shed light on the potential for…
Will Dragonfly find dust devils on Titan?
Earth and Mars both are known to have swirling dust devils moving along their surfaces. Saturn’s large moon Titan might have them, too, according to a new study. If so, NASA’s planned Dragonfly mission will be able to find them. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/saturn-moon-titan-dust-devils-dragonfly…
Satellite images: Air pollution in India plummets
These satellite images show how much aerosol levels have dropped over northern India since the Covid-19 lockdown began. Source: https://earthsky.org/earth/satellite-images-air-pollution-india-covid19…
Waves in thin air with broad effects
Mars has a very thin atmosphere, with nearly one hundredth the density of ours on Earth, and gravity pulls with little more than one third of the strength we feel on our planet. As a result, dust storms can go global. For future missions to Mars, it is important to understand the planet’s airy envelope and to forecast its moods. Source:…