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Whirlwinds on Mars, From the Ground

Posted by timothy on from the close-up dept.

Neil Halelamien writes "Back in 1999, satellite images were photographed of 5-mile-high whirlwinds streaking across the surface of Mars. A couple of months ago the Spirit rover got a close up view of whirlwind tracks, and this past week photographed a whirlwind in action (animation). It's thought that these dust devils may be responsible for the mystery power boost to the rovers' solar cells. Last year the rovers also spotted clouds and frost."

3 of 122 comments (clear)

  1. Animation by FTL · · Score: 5, Informative
    Incase you are wondering about the /.ed animation, it is a two-frame, black and white, 1MB gif. The first frame shows a small whirlwind in the distance, the second frame doesn't show the whirlwind.

    Not impressive compared to the tornado footage we're used to from the local TV station. But one must remember that the rovers' actions are scripted in advance. So it was a complete coincidence that a whirlwind happened to be in-frame when they took a photo. Which says something about how common they must be if we just happened to snag a picture of one.

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  2. Re:For the hardcore: by Quiet_Desperation · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Motion of the rovers? I would imagine the lower moisture levels (if any) would make the dust there less sticky. I'd be curious to know if the rovers went through any serious inclines just bfore the power boost. Or if there was any unusually extensie activity of the probe arm and/or drill.

  3. Re:Just thought of one. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Overnight? While parked and sleeping?