 |
| Dust devil tracks on Mars. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona) |
The unrelenting activity of dust devils sweeping around the surface of Mars is captured in an amazing image that has been released. Before others take their place, these Martian whirlwinds form, travel across the surface, and then break apart.
The photograph, which was captured in September 2022 by NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter's HiRISE camera, depicts a portion of the Haldane Crater, where dust devils have etched their mark on the terrain.
In order to have a better understanding of Mars' atmospheric dynamics, scientists examine the picture tracks and the rate at which dust collects on the planet.
The fourth planet from the Sun, Mars, is frequently called the "Red Planet" because to the reddish hue of its soil, which is caused by iron oxide. Its chilly climate, with an average temperature of about -60 °C, is a result of its thin atmosphere, which is primarily composed of carbon dioxide.
Plains, volcanoes (such as Olympus Mons), and the
enormous canyon system Valles Marineris are all found on Mars' surface.
Geological evidence points to the possibility of previous life on Mars by
indicating that the planet formerly possessed liquid water and a thicker
atmosphere.
 |
| Mars as seen through a telescope in 2020. (Andrew Symes) |
About 95 percent of Mars' thin atmosphere is composed of carbon dioxide. Traces of oxygen, argon, and nitrogen are also present. Without substantial technological assistance, this thin atmosphere—which has a density of only 1% that of Earth—cannot sustain human life.
The presence of dust devils is one of the most intriguing phenomena in the Martian atmosphere, which is active despite its thinness. These whirling columns of air and dust resemble Earth's tornadoes.
When the surface heats up, warm air rises quickly, attracting dust particles into a revolving column, creating dust devils. From tiny, innocuous whirlwinds to enormous, kilometer-wide spirals that can endure for hours, they can vary in size.
 |
| A Martian dust devil was captured winding its way along the Amazonis Planitia region of northern Mars on March 14, 2012. (NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter) |
Because they aid in the redistribution of dust throughout the planet's surface, which influences weather patterns and even the Martian temperature, dust devils on Mars are significant to scientists.
They can both deposit and remove dust particles from solar panels and other devices, making them both a friend and a foe to machines on the Red Planet's surface. The small dust particles may be lifted up and carried over the Martian surface by the swirling nature of these vortex weather events, where they may eventually gather on surfaces.
Depositing on solar panels can have the effect of decreasing power output and efficiency by obstructing sunlight. However, their powerful winds can scrub the panels clean, acting as cleaners.
NASA JPL has released an image of dust devils moving across Mars' surface. In order to determine the rate of dust deposition over time, teams of astronomers are examining their fading footprints. Better knowledge of this contributes to the protection of upcoming space missions.
0 Comments