Washington, July 01: Astronomers have detected
what they claim is the first direct evidence of lightning on
Mars, which are in fact signs of electrical discharges during
dust storms on the Red Planet.
A team at Michigan University has based its findings
on observations made using an innovative microwave detector
which they've developed at Space Physics Research Laboratory
in the varsity.
Prof Chris Ruf, who led the team, said that the bolts
were dry lightning.
"What we saw on Mars was a series of huge and sudden
electrical discharges caused by a large dust storm. Clearly,
there's no rain associated with electrical discharges on Mars.
However, the implied possibilities are exciting," he said.
Electric activity in Martian dust storms has important
implications for Mars science, according to the astronomers.
"It affects atmospheric chemistry, habitability and
preparations for human exploration. It might have implications
for the origin of life even as suggested by experiments in the
1950s," said Prof Nilton Renno, a team member.
In fact, using the kurtosis detector, the astronomers
took measurements of microwave emissions from Mars for almost
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 non-thermal radiation was detected. Non-thermal radiation
would suggest the presence of lightning.
Bureau Report
First Published: Wednesday, July 01, 2009, 10:43