Perseverance detects lightning in Martian dust devils
Researchers analyzing 28 hours of audio from NASA’s Perseverance rover report detecting 55 instances of crackling "mini lightning" — electrical arcs centimeters in size — within about 2 meters (6 feet) of the rover’s mast-mounted microphone, recorded over two Martian years and lasting seconds in dust devils and up to 30 minutes during dust storms. Lead author Baptiste Chide called the finding a "missing piece of the puzzle" with potential chemical effects, but Cardiff University’s Daniel Mitchard cautioned the phenomenon was "heard not seen" and that dedicated instruments are needed to fully confirm and assess risks to sensitive equipment; the results appear in Nature.
📌 Key Facts
- Perseverance detected electrical discharges — described as 'mini lightning' — on Mars; the arcs were centimeters in size and occurred within about 2 meters (6 feet) of the rover’s mast-mounted microphone.
- Researchers analyzed 28 hours of Perseverance audio collected over two Martian years and documented 55 instances of these discharges.
- Events tied to dust devils lasted seconds, while discharges during larger dust storms persisted for up to about 30 minutes.
- Mars’ thin, CO2-rich atmosphere dampens sound, making many of the electrical zaps faint amid wind and dust impacts.
- Authors liken the discharges to terrestrial static electricity, caution they could have chemical effects, and warn they might pose risks to sensitive equipment.
- The results were published in Nature; lead author Baptiste Chide called the finding a 'missing piece of the puzzle,' and an accompanying commentary by Cardiff University’s Daniel Mitchard emphasized the evidence is 'heard not seen' and urged dedicated instruments to confirm the phenomenon.
📊 Relevant Data
In the 1970s, NASA's Viking landers conducted soil measurements that suggested Martian dust storms might be electrically active, similar to Earth's thunderstorms, potentially serving as a source of reactive chemistry.
First Direct Measurements of Lightning on Mars — NASA Earth Science and Technology Office
In 2006, a group of planetary scientists conducted theoretical modeling, laboratory experiments, and field studies on Earth, concluding that there was no direct evidence of lightning on Mars at that time.
First Direct Measurements of Lightning on Mars — NASA Earth Science and Technology Office
The atmosphere of Mars is composed of 95% carbon dioxide, 2.6% molecular nitrogen, and 1.6% argon, with a surface pressure of about 0.006 bar, which is less than 1% of Earth's atmospheric pressure.
With Mars Methane Mystery Unsolved, Curiosity Serves Scientists a New One: Oxygen — NASA
The thin atmosphere on Mars makes it much easier for accumulated electrical fields to break down in the form of electrostatic discharge compared to Earth.
Study quantifies global impact of electricity in dust storms on Mars — Washington University in St. Louis
📰 Sources (3)
- Researchers documented 55 instances of 'mini lightning' over two Martian years.
- CBS specifies the arcs occurred within about 6 feet of Perseverance’s mast-mounted microphone.
- The paper appears in Nature, with an accompanying commentary by Cardiff University’s Daniel Mitchard noting the evidence is 'heard, not seen' and calling for dedicated instruments to confirm.
- Authors liken the discharges to terrestrial static electricity and caution they could pose issues for sensitive equipment.
- Electrical arcs were centimeters in size and detected within about 2 meters (6 feet) of the rover’s mast-mounted microphone.
- Researchers analyzed 28 hours of Perseverance audio to identify the events.
- Discharges from dust devils lasted seconds, while those during dust storms persisted up to 30 minutes.
- Lead author Baptiste Chide said the discharges could have chemical effects and called the result a 'missing piece of the puzzle.'
- Cardiff University’s Daniel Mitchard noted the detection was 'heard not seen' and cautioned that further instruments will be needed to settle any remaining debate.
- Mars’ thin, CO2-rich atmosphere dampens sound, making many zaps faint despite being audible amid wind and dust impacts.