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Evidence Found Of Lightning On Mars
Ann Arbor MI (SPX) Jun 18, 2009 U.S. scientists say they have detected the first direct evidence of lightning occurring on Mars. University of Michigan researchers said they found signs of electrical discharges during dust storms on the red planet. The bolts were dry lightning, Professor Chris Ruf said. "What we saw on Mars was a series of huge and sudden electrical discharges caused by a large dust storm," Ruf said. "Clearly, there was no rain associated with the electrical discharges on Mars. However, the implied possibilities are exciting." Electric activity in Martian dust storms has important implications for Mars science, the researchers said. "It affects atmospheric chemistry, habitability and preparations for human exploration. It might even have implications for the origin of life, as suggested by experiments in the 1950s," said Professor Nilton Renno of the university's Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Sciences. "Mars continues to amaze us," said Michael Sanders, manager of exploration systems and technology at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and a researcher involved in the study. "Every new look at the planet gives us new insights." Share This Article With Planet Earth
Related Links University of Michigan Mars News and Information at MarsDaily.com Lunar Dreams and more
NASA probes lead way back to moonWashington (AFP) June 16, 2009 NASA embarks on a landmark mission of lunar exploration this week with the launch of probes to scout for water sources and landing sites, in a bid to lead humanity back on the first visit to the moon since 1972. The US space agency, with its eye on sending astronauts to Earth's natural satellite by 2020, is on course to blast off the dual LRO and LCROSS missions on Thursday atop an Atlas V ... read more |
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