Scientists unlock secrets of Martian weather systems
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Bhubaneswar/Rourkela: Researchers from NIT Rourkela, in collaboration with scientists from UAE University and Sun Yat-sen University in China, provided new insights into the complex atmospheric phenomena of Mars through a comprehensive study spanning two decades with data collated from multiple Mars missions.
The research, published in the journal New Astronomy Reviews, examines three crucial elements of Martian weather — dust devils, large-scale dust storms, and water-ice clouds.
The study was co-authored by professor Jagabandhu Panda and research scholar Anirban Mandal from NIT Rourkela's Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, along with international collaborators.
The team analysed data from various Mars missions, including India's Mars Orbiter Mission (MoM), to understand how dust and water-ice interact to influence the planet's climate and temperature.
Their findings revealed that dust devils, which are small spinning columns of air, are more prevalent during summer in the northern hemisphere and play a vital role in keeping dust suspended in the atmosphere.
"Advancing weather prediction on Mars is not just a scientific pursuit; it's crucial for ensuring the success of future missions and understanding the planet's habitability," said Panda. He emphasised the need for more ISRO missions to Mars and increased investment in university research to further advance scientific understanding.
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The research also sheds light on Mars' notorious dust storms, which can escalate to cover entire regions or even the whole planet. These storms operate in a feedback loop where sunlight heats the dust, warming the atmosphere and strengthening winds, which in turn lifts more dust into the air.
The study's findings are particularly significant as they could help protect future spacecraft and support astronaut missions to Mars.
"By tracking seasonal changes and their impact on dust and cloud formation, researchers refined our understanding of the Martian climate system, potentially enabling more accurate weather predictions on the Red Planet," Panda said.
A significant focus of the study was on Mars' water-ice clouds, which form in two distinct types — the aphelion cloud belt during summers when Mars is farthest from the Sun, and the polar hood clouds that form during winter. These delicate, wispy formations are particularly visible near the equator, around massive volcanoes like Olympus Mons, and in polar regions.
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