Unveiling Mars: New Study Reveals Surprising Speed of Winds Through 1,039 Dust Devil Analyses

The European Space Agency’s Mars Express and ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter have been busy exploring Mars. Recently, they took a break from their usual work to investigate the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS. More impressively, they measured wind speeds on the Martian surface, which wasn’t part of their primary mission.

Their research gave rise to an impressive catalog of dust devils. These dust tornadoes, spotted by rovers and orbiters, total 1,039 events. This collection reveals that winds on Mars can reach up to 160 kilometers (100 miles) per hour, much faster than scientists previously thought.

Colin Wilson, an ESA project scientist, emphasizes, “Dust devils make the normally invisible wind visible.” By tracking these dust devils, the team started creating a worldwide map of Martian winds. Before this, such a comprehensive view of wind data was unavailable.

So, how did they achieve this? The key lies in how the spacecraft capture images. The red and blue channels of the camera take pictures at slightly different times. By comparing these images, scientists can determine wind speed and direction. “It’s quite exciting!” adds Wilson.

This newfound knowledge is crucial. Previously, the only way to measure winds was by landing specialized weather stations on Mars, which have only been placed in select locations. Now, the ESA’s approach offers a global perspective.

The thin Martian atmosphere—just 1 percent the density of Earth’s—means that even at high speeds, the winds wouldn’t blow us away. However, these powerful winds can lift dust, leading to storms that can block sunlight. Such storms have caused the failure of several Mars missions and pose challenges for future exploration.

Dust in the Martian atmosphere is highly variable, and it could impact future explorations, including those relying on solar panels. Wilson warns, “You need to know about dust storms; this research gives us insights into what’s causing wind and dust lifting on Mars.”

This study is published in Science Advances, providing valuable data for understanding Martian weather patterns and preparing for future missions.

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