"Dust devils": Dust devils on Mars much faster than previously thought
The small dust tornadoes on Mars have been known for years, but one basic assumption was wrong. The dust devils can grow much faster than expected.
Satellite image of a dust devil on Mars
(Image: ESA/TGO/CaSSIS)
The so-called dust devils on Mars can move across the Red Planet much faster than previously assumed. This is the result of an extensive analysis of satellite images from various ESA probes, which also utilized machine learning. The rotating columns of dust and atmosphere can therefore be traveling at up to 160 km/h and are likely to swirl up much more dust than previously assumed. This was announced by the University of Bern, where the analysis was conducted. Previously, it was assumed that the winds would mostly remain below a speed of 50 km/h and in rare cases reach a maximum of 100 km/h. However, the values were far too low. However, the values were far too small.
(Image:Â ESA/DLR/FU Berlin for HRSC, ESA/TGO/CaSSIS for CaSSIS, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO)
Known for years, not fully understood
(Image:Â ExoMars TGO data: ESA/TGO/CaSSIS; Mars Express data: ESA/DLR/FU Berlin; Background: NASA Viking colour mosaic)
Dust devils have been observed on Mars for years, and almost every rover has taken pictures of them. They are atmospheric swirls that resemble small tornadoes and are technically known as small tornadoes. They can be several dozen metres high and are being researched, among other things, because they allow conclusions to be drawn about the winds on the Red Planet that are invisible to cameras. The "dust devils" have also helped to extend the service life of rovers or probes on many a mission by removing dust from the solar panels. For the analyses now presented, tens of thousands of satellite images were evaluated, on which around 300 dust devils could be seen.
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The findings on the speed of the dust devils presented in the journal Science Advances once again emphasize how little we know about the conditions on Mars, which have been the subject of research for decades. NASA's small Ingenuity helicopter, for example, stirred up much more dust during its flights on Mars than was thought possible. Based on the data on the dust devils, it is now possible to better understand the wind conditions on the Red Planet, explains the research team. This is essential for the preparations of future missions in which humans are to reach Mars at some point.
(mho)
