Huge Dust Storm Observed On Mars by NASA Rover

NASA spacecraft tracked huge dust storm on the Red Planet- Mars and this storm in turn has led to changes in Martian atmosphere. This was observed by Curiosity rover on surface of the planet. First this dust storm was spotted by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) of NASA on 10 November 2012 and since then it is being tracked.

With the help of Mars Colour Imager of the orbiter, Malin Space Science Systems started observing this dust storm and also reported it to the Mars Exploration Rover- Opportunity of NASA.

The storm did not come closer than around 1347 kilometres from the Opportunity which resulted in meager dip in the clarity of atmosphere over the rover that lacks weather station. Halfway from the planet from the Opportunity, the weather station of Mars rover of NASA- Curiosity detected certain atmospheric changes which were linked to the storm.

Sensors on Rover Environmental Monitoring Station (REMS), provided by Spain for the Curiosity measured a dip in the air pressure and also an increase in the temperature overnight.

Every Martian year lasts for around two Earth’s years. The regional dust storm like this expanded and also affected the huge areas of Mars in the year 2001 and 2007. No storm was observed between these years or since 2007. The scientists wish to know why some of the Martian dust storms enlarge in size and stop in growth while other of the same size grow continuously and become global.

Scientists have been observing Mars since decades and from the observations they know that there is always a seasonal method of dust storm events on Mars. This dust storm season sprang up just few weeks earlier and started with the southern-hemisphere spring.

The Mars Climate Sounder instrument found on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter detected a bit rise in temperature at around 25 kilometres above this storm. Since that time, there has been an increase in the atmospheric temperature by around 25 degrees Celsius. This has happened because the dust is absorbing all the sunlight at the height. This also indicated that the dust is striking above surface and winds are creating dust haze over wider region.