First direct evidence of lightning on Mars detected
June 17, 2009
An illustration of a dust storm on Mars. Credit: Brian Grimm and Nilton Renno
For the first time, direct evidence of lightning has been detected on Mars, say University of Michigan researchers who found signs of electrical discharges during dust storms on the Red Planet.
The bolts were dry lightning, says Chris Ruf, a professor in the departments of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Sciences and Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences.
"What we saw on Mars was a series of huge and sudden electrical discharges caused by a large dust storm," Ruf said. "Clearly, there was no rain associated with the electrical discharges on Mars. However, the implied possibilities are exciting."
Electric activity in Martian dust storms has important implications for Mars science, the researchers say.
"It affects atmospheric chemistry, habitability and preparations for human exploration. It might even have implications for the origin of life, as suggested by experiments in the 1950s," said Nilton Renno, a professor in the Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Sciences.
The findings are based on observations made using an innovative microwave detector developed at the U-M Space Physics Research Laboratory. The kurtosis detector, which is capable of differentiating between thermal and non-thermal radiation, took measurements of microwave emissions from Mars for approximately five hours a day for 12 days between May 22 and June 16, 2006.
On June 8, 2006 both an unusual pattern of non-thermal radiation and an intense Martian dust storm occurred, the only time that non-thermal radiation was detected. Non-thermal radiation would suggest the presence of lightning.
The researchers reviewed the data to determine the strength, duration and frequency of the non-thermal activity, as well as the possibility of other sources. But each test led to the conclusion that the dust storm likely caused dry lightning.
This work confirms soil measurements from the Viking landers 30 years ago, and it challenges 2006 experiments that suggested otherwise.
Data from the Viking landers raised the possibility that Martian dust storms might be electrically active like Earth's thunderstorms and thus, might be a source of reactive chemistry. But the hypothesis was untestable. In 2006, using theoretical modeling, laboratory experiments and field studies on Earth, a group of planetary scientists suggested that there was no direct evidence that lightning occurred on Mars. This new research refutes those findings.
"Mars continues to amaze us. Every new look at the planet gives us new insights," said Michael Sanders, manager of the exploration systems and technology office at Jet Propulsion Laboratory and a researchers involved in this study.
Source: University of Michigan (news : web)
Jul 31, 2006 |
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WTF!
Ok for one, using purely theoretical modeling really isn't for shit if youre playing a guessing game, which it sounds like they were. Now, theoretical modeling combined with lab testing such as a sealed chamber with sand and dust in it placed at martian atmospheric pressure, and then winds equating on a small scale to the winds on a large scale on mars......if thats the case, then I'll take back my first statement :)
2. Direct evidence - ok, so nobody has taken a picture...that is direct evidence...was it even being looked for intensively, or was it just a little side task no1 gave a shite about?
3. It seems to me that this makes sense...if you rub 2 solid objects together, you get friction, which gives off energy in the form of a static discharge...well hell, an electrical current
Now my real question here:
Could this "dry lightning" be harnassed for addition power supplies at a Mars colony? Granted, it wouldnt be much, and would only be sporadic, but hell, why not throw some lightening rods onto our dome :)