Mars’ infamous dust storms can blanket the entire planet, creating a challenge for rovers, landers, and future human missions. In a recent study, planetary scientists at CU Boulder uncovered how relatively warm and sunny days might play a role in triggering these colossal storms.
Lead author Heshani Pieris, a graduate student at CU Boulder’s Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP), emphasized the importance of this research:
“Dust storms have a significant effect on rovers and landers on Mars, not to mention what will happen during future crewed missions. This dust is very light and sticks to everything.”
Heshani Pieris (lead author)
The findings, presented at the 2024 American Geophysical Union (AGU) meeting, are a critical step toward forecasting extreme Martian weather—similar to weather predictions on Earth.
How do dust storms begin?
Dust storms on Mars often start small, swirling near the polar ice caps during the second half of the Martian year (which lasts 687 Earth days). Under certain conditions, they grow rapidly, spreading toward the equator and engulfing millions of square miles.
Though the storms lack Earth-like wind force due to Mars’ thin atmosphere, they pose real risks. For example, a 2018 global storm buried the solar panels of NASA’s Opportunity rover, leading to its shutdown.
“Even though the wind pressure may not be enough to knock over equipment, these dust grains can build up a lot of speed and pelt astronauts and their equipment.”
Paul Hayne (co-author)
What triggers dust storms?
The team analyzed 15 years of Mars Climate Sounder data from NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. They found that 68% of major storms were preceded by a sharp rise in surface temperatures—weeks when sunlight heated the planet’s surface more than usual.
“It’s almost like Mars has to wait for the air to get clear enough to form a major dust storm,” Hayne explained. This phenomenon mirrors Earth’s weather. Warm air near the ground can rise through the atmosphere, creating conditions ripe for storms. “When you heat up the surface, the layer of atmosphere right above it becomes buoyant, and it can rise, taking dust with it,” Pieris added.
Toward Martian weather forecasts
Pieris and Hayne are now analyzing more recent data to refine their understanding of these explosive weather patterns. The ultimate goal? Real-time Martian weather predictions to aid future missions.
“This study is not the end all be all of predicting storms on Mars,” Pieris said. “But we hope it’s a step in the right direction.”
Source: University of Colorado Boulder.
