On a world where a single storm can swallow an entire planet, scientists are learning that darkness and cold are not the only dangers waiting for those who would venture to Mars. New research from the University of Alabama in Huntsville and NASA reveals that global Martian dust storms do not merely dim the sun — they electrically charge the lower atmosphere, creating conditions where the air itself could arc and discharge. As humanity prepares to send its first explorers to the Red Planet within the decade, this discovery adds a sobering new dimension to the ancient question of what it costs t
Martian Dust Storms Generate Electrical Hazards for Future Exploration
The 2018 Martian dust storm ended NASA's Opportunity rover mission after years of successful operation due to inability to recharge solar panels.