Images provide insight into atmospheric phenomena on Mars
On Perseverance’s 899th day on Martian soil, the rover’s Navcams captured a series of 21 pictures, showcasing a mesmerizing dust devil in motion. These images, taken four seconds apart, were then compiled and sped up 20 times to highlight the phenomenon’s movement.
Dust devils on Mars, as described by NASA, are smaller and less powerful compared to tornadoes on Earth. However, they play a crucial role in redistributing dust across the planet’s surface. Scientists frequently study these atmospheric phenomena to gain a deeper understanding of Mars’ atmosphere and enhance current weather models.
Based on the images, NASA’s mission scientists estimate that the dust devil was located approximately 2.5 miles away on the “Thorofare Ridge,” moving from east to west at a speed of about 12 mph. The calculated width of the dust devil is nearly 200 feet, and although only the bottom 387 feet was captured in the images, scientists estimate its towering height to be over a mile.
“We don’t have a clear view of the top, but the shadow it casts provides valuable information about its height,” explained Mark Lemmon, a planetary scientist at the Space Science Institute in Boulder, Colorado, and a member of the Perseverance science team. “Most dust devils on Mars are vertical columns. If this particular one follows the same configuration, its shadow suggests a height of around 1.2 miles (2 kilometers).”
On Earth, dust devils form when ascending warm air mixes with descending columns of cooler air. Martian dust devils, NASA reveals, can grow much larger than their earthly counterparts. Determining the timing and occurrence of dust devils in specific locations on Mars remains an ongoing area of study for scientists.
The Perseverance rover has been diligently exploring the Jezero Crater since its landing over two years ago. Researchers hope that this mission will eventually uncover signs of ancient microbial life.