NASA's Mars rover makes an unexpected discovery on Mars: electricity roams the planet 0 6

Thanks to data from NASA's Perseverance rover, scientists have for the first time detected electrical discharges recorded during dust storms on Mars. Essentially, scientists confirmed that there are lightning strikes on the Red Planet, but they are not quite like those on Earth. The study was published in the journal Nature, according to ScienceAlert.

Astronomers have previously observed lightning on other planets in the Solar System, in the atmospheres of Jupiter and Saturn. Since Mars is cold and dry, scientists have long suspected that electrical charges could build up in the air, especially during dust storms when particles rub against each other and then discharge. However, until now, there was no confirmation that lightning exists on Mars.

Scientists hypothesized that if electrical discharges occur on Mars, they are likely happening near the surface, where atmospheric pressure is highest.

The Perseverance rover is equipped with a device capable of detecting signs of lightning, which the NASA wheeled vehicle managed to do. Researchers analyzed data collected by the SuperCam microphone of the Perseverance rover. They were looking for signs of electrical discharges during dust storms. As a result, they discovered mini-lightning on Mars.

One sign of such lightning was a recorded tiny rumble of thunder created by an electrical discharge heating and expanding the air. Scientists found that the overwhelming majority of lightning occurs during dust storms on Mars.

These lightning strikes are not as strong as those on Earth, but the most important thing is that they do exist. This discovery will aid in the development of technologies necessary to protect future equipment on Mars from electrical discharges. For future astronauts stepping onto the Red Planet, these weak discharges will not pose a danger in the sense that people will not be electrocuted. However, over time, electrical discharges, essentially short circuits occurring between air molecules, could disrupt or damage electronic devices, including spacesuits.

Scientists believe that electrical discharges on Mars may play an important role in chemical reactions in the planet's atmosphere. Some theories regarding the origin of life on Earth consider lightning as a means of delivering necessary components to transform a collection of molecules into biological form. If there is lightning on Mars, scientists may take this factor into account when assessing the likelihood of life existing there.